Brooke's Baptism

May 17, 2009 A very special day.

As I write this, there are tears in my eyes and wet splotches on my shirt. It is really starting to hit me now, Brooke is growing up. Too fast. And I feel like I am too busy fussing about other things that are much less important.

Let me back up...Sunday was Brooke's baptism. It was both a day I have been looking forward to, and stressing over at the same time.

What were the things I was looking forward to?

• Spending time with family and friends that we don't see often enough.



• Seeing the joy on those same faces when Brooke would smile and coo for them.



• Watching my grandfather hold his great-granddaughter for the first time.



• Enjoying the good food Andy and I prepared together

But where was my energy and my focus? I wasn't always "in the moment" soaking up every minute. I was distracted with trying to make sure everything was "perfect". And the ironic thing, it wasn't absolutely perfect, but it was the best I could have made it. And you know, no one noticed it wasn't perfect. So why do I put so much energy into trying to make things "perfect" and then miss the little moments. Little moments like being about to sit with the group and listen to wise words from my 90 year old grandfather. Little moments of spending more than 2 minutes talking to any one person.

But surely, I do appreciate what few little moments I was a part of.

Like when my grandfather held Brooke for the first time

And of course, there was the baptism itself...

And spending some time with both sides of the family...

And of course, the lady of the hour...

There are only 3 short weeks left and then I will have to return to work. I will try and make the most of every little moment and stop worrying about the insignificant things!