Baby Eyes

Hi.

I don't think that at any point during my schooling I ever thought I would miss it.  Learning, that is.  However, watching my precious little niece has made me realize that I do.  Quite alot, in fact.  She's changing and learning so much every single day.

While I'm hoping my looks aren't progressing as quickly as her's, I wish my language, understanding of the world, and delight in new things were.

Look- this was taken the weekend we moved here, just three months ago.  She's grown so much since then.

Then there's her personality.  Her delight is contagious.  I don't think anyone can watch her learn to interact without smiling.  Her smallest actions are completely entertaining and can keep us enthralled for the duration of her time in between naps.  In fact, most of the time we are disappointed when she goes down and antsy for her to wake.

It's a little unnerving, almost, to feel how much we love her, and to think that someday we'll have a child of our own.  Maybe unnerving is the wrong word, but it's hard to fathom that we haven't even felt the depth of love that comes from being a parent.  I can't imagine the fullness that's in her parents' hearts.

Babies have this wondrous ability to look at the world with an open mind and eyes that haven't yet been jaded.  Everything is new, and bright, and shiny, and colorful.  This weekend I watched Lily become completely enthralled by leaves on the tree in her front yard.  How wonderful would it be to have that outlook again?  Now, unless I'm actively engaged in learning, I feel that I only become more disheartened with the world.

Our little niece, without even saying a word-just through babbles, giggles, and focused eyes- has inspired me to desire a lifelong continuation of learning.  Whether it's working and extending what I do with my passion for art, learning to sew, going back to school for more Literature classes, reading more educational books, working on my writing, expanding my very basic cooking ability, diving more earnestly into learning about my God, or learning something new entirely, or if I'm lucky- all of the above, I want to always be learning.  

I think maybe that's one of the best ways to enjoy life, and for that realization, I'm so thankful to the little blue-eyed girl who has stolen all of our hearts.

Til next time,

Aim