November 18, 2013

Important Things


We had a jam packed weekend, including visiting brothers from both sides of the family. It was the kick off of our non-stop influx of company until well into December. Months before any of that came up, I had bought tickets for Sunday's matinee of Wicked. I've wanted to see it for years. I still struggle with spending money on things like this even though I know in my heart how valuable experiences are for my family, over more things. It was amazing! I loved watching the girls' expressions and listening to their laughter while they watched. I think it is such a gift to give your children (and yourself!) exposure to different things. It was Maddie's first musical and she thanked me over and over for taking her. They still thank us all the time for taking them to Paris and London and that was a year and a half ago! I wish I had caught on earlier to how important these things are.


I loved the show but was worried about the storms that I knew were on their way. Luckily I had friends keeping me informed of what was going on outside the theater. After the show, we rushed out before the curtain call and discovered that we were in the midst of a torrential downpour. My guy, always, always, looking out for his girls, left us to keep dry while he ran for the car. I knew he was no longer questioning my choice of rain boots with my dress and was wishing he had some of his own. It was a scary drive home. We weren't sure what we were driving into and of course your instinct is just to want to get home. I couldn't help but wonder how many people die in their cars during a tornado. When I looked back at the girls and saw them holding hands I knew they were scared too but loved how they were quietly comforting each other. Sisters. It's a beautiful thing.


Then an eerie silence fell and the skies cleared and somehow that was even scarier. While there was damage around us, we were spared and of course we were so thankful. We were grateful to make it home safe and sound and spent the rest of the day appreciating the things that are really important in life. You hope you do that everyday, but of course there are always days that make you more acutely aware of how precious your life really is.


These are the truly important things.

18 comments:

  1. Amen to that! So important to give our children experiences and memories like this. We loved Wicked and our kids have loved musical theatre for years now. Hug everyone a little tighter after your experiences this weekend! Julie

    ReplyDelete
  2. As our girls grew up we realized how much more lasting experiences were then "things". Your girls won't remember what they got for Christmas in 2013, (unless you have some more rockin' gifts under your tree than we did ! Lol), but they will remember the night you took them to Wicked and rode home in the storm. I'm glad the storm left you unscathed. We lost power last night and just got it back 15 minutes ago.

    ReplyDelete
  3. What an experience, both the thrill of the musical and the feeling of arriving to your point of safety and security. I am sure it is a day none of you will ever forget. Glad all is well.

    ReplyDelete
  4. You have your priorities straight, Jen. I am glad your area was spared- xo Diana

    ReplyDelete
  5. my girls and i are going to see Wicked the day after thanksgiving! i'm so excited!!

    love that have been inspired to post so often lately!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. my girls and i are going to see Wicked the day after thanksgiving! i'm so excited!!

    love that have been inspired to post so often lately!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  7. glad you guys made it home ok. we were in the basement for a short time.
    we saw the play years ago for our third anniversary while three months pregnant. the play was amazing.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Great story! You have definitely got your priorities straight with your family. So lovely. :) Kit

    ReplyDelete
  9. Some of my favorite memories are the plays my parents took us to when we were kids - Oklahoma, Flower Drum Song, Carousel . . . It was fun to dress up, go into downtown Los Angeles and feel so sophisticated.

    Family is everything.

    Can't believe the weather you have been having.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Wonderful experience for all of you! Live theater is something you just have to experience.

    Those storms were crazy scary!! We had them also. Very weird day.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I loved this post! I too have always worried about spending money on entertainment (plus we didn't have much extra when they were younger) so my kids didn't get to experience a lot of culture. I needed to be reminded that it IS important, and that it's not too late~
    thanks Jen!!!

    ReplyDelete
  12. wicked is such a great show! glad you guys were able to enjoy it together. and i'm so thankful that you all are safe. love the picture of the girls holding hands. love their precious relationship!

    ReplyDelete
  13. So glad to hear that you & your family are OK -- that photo of your girls is just the best. They are so lucky to have each other.

    Your post reminds me that we need to have more experiences like that (Wicked, not the storm!) with Hope. My mother took us to the theater & ballet frequently when I was a child & I still remember those nights.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Adoro le tue immagini, sempre piene di colori e ispirazioni!
    La tua neo followers.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I'm so glad you got to experience the show and I'm even more grateful you guys made it home ok- I hated knowing you were out in that weather. My dear friends mom in Kokomo lost everything. She's ok but her home was a total loss. It really does make you so thankful for every little thing!

    ReplyDelete
  16. The turning point for me in the "stuff vs. doing things" came 3 years ago when we bought a travel trailer. I was very sheltered as a child and had a hard time stepping out of my comfort zone to try new things. I did not want my children to struggle with that, so we go, we see, we learn, we do things that are a little scary. I am proud to say my children are much more worldly and are more comfortable with new situations than I ever was at their age. I think the life lessons we have learned while traveling have been worth every penny! We frequently take my sister and her young children with us, (you follow her on instagram, Elizabeth Elliott) this summer we went all the way to Maine, with stops at Niagra Falls, Boston, Cape Cod, and the Finger Lakes in New York State. I loved watching those little brains soak up all those new experiences!

    ReplyDelete
  17. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for taking the time to leave me a note. It's always so appreciated.