Sometimes it’s the smallest, most unexpected moments that show you how truly beautiful life is…
THE STORY
…I’ve written before about the moments that take your breath away. When I was younger I thought that happiness and contentment were a goal that you worked towards; they were an actual thing that once you got there you were just happy. And content. All of the time. Well folks, that’s not exactly how life works. Real true happiness and contentment are oftentimes found in moments; infinitesimal slices of time, that if you’re really paying attention will blow your mind with their beauty.
The other night I was sitting outside after dark with my daughter. Our yard is truly gorgeous at night. We have lights in various places to enhance different areas; it’s really kind of magical looking. To add to the magic, we are currently inundated with lightning bugs thanks to the mild winter (maybe that makes up for all of the nasty stinging type bugs we’re also inundated with) and there were zillions of them flashing green light from the ground up into the branches of the trees.
My husband recently hung a swing from the branch of our maple tree. The way he hung it it swings out over the yard and it gently spins and twirls while you swing. It’s really kind of cool, like floating through the air. Our daughter loves it and can often be found perched there. She decided to swing while we were sitting outside that night. I was sitting under the gazebo sipping my coffee and just sort of absent-mindedly watching her. It took a minute for my brain to comprehend the utter perfection of the moment. After that I was mesmerized. There was no sound other then the crickets and tree frogs, there was no sound from the movement of the swing. Due to the position of the swing and the lights I couldn’t see the swing, but I could see my daughter, intermittently, when she would pass through the path of one of the lights. Then she would disappear into the shadows and then reappear twirling through the beams of a different light. The way she was leaning back on the swing her long blonde curls were hanging down and she looked like some gorgeous tree sprite or little fairy come to life to dance with the lightning bugs. Honestly, words cannot do it justice. It was one of those moments that I wanted to last forever. It was one of those infinitesimal moments, that had I not been paying attention, I would have missed out on. You have to open your eyes to the magic.
THE OUTFIT
I’ve been on the hunt for shorts that are not denim, long enough that they couldn’t be termed bootie shorts, but short enough that I don’t look like a frumposaurus rex. I need a little variety in my summer wear, both for my own sanity and so I don’t drive you all insane with 1,001 ways to wear denim shorts this summer.
So far I have had zero luck, but I did happen upon these fabulous rayon/linen blend cropped drawstring pants the other day at JCPenney. They are so soft and lightweight that they are almost as good as a pair of shorts in regard to comfort in the heat. I bought them a size larger then what I needed because I like that extra bit of slouchiness and I also got the black cropped drawstring pants because, well, you all know that I buy in multiples if I love something. I paired them with my blush pink cami because pink paired with olive or camo is one of my favorite combinations. And the bonus was that all of this lightweight slouchiness allowed for plenty of room for funnel cake a la’ mode at DQ when we took daddy out for ice cream on Father’s Day.
THE TIP
When looking for pants to wear during the summer months, go for lightweight material, a looser fit and a drawstring waist. If possible, size up to give yourself even more room for air flow to keep you cool.
THE LINK UPS
Check out the weekly link ups I participate in for even more fashion and style ideas…
Pants: JCPenney (Similar); Cami: Similar; Sandals: Payless (Similar)
