Leprechaun Day

My son Auggie has asked me nearly every day for over a month, “How many days until Leprechaun Day?”. I’m not sure where the anticipatory hoopla is coming from… we’ve had a couple years involving green footprints and a box of Lucky Charms here and there, but nothing crazy.

He is at that fun age, when magic is magic, and the idea that a tiny leprechaun sneaks into our house at night to perform silly shenanigans is pure joy in his mind.

Or perhaps he just loves having something to look forward to. The next holiday to be excited about. Like when you countdown to your birthday.

As a young adult I had often struggled with focusing too much on the next thing; getting a job, getting engaged, married, having kids. I remember my dad bringing it up, worried that I was spending my days trying to predict the future, rather than enjoying the present. Since then, I’ve settled a bit- making it a daily practice to be content where I am and enjoy my surroundings.

Although… there’s part of me, in my dedicated eternal optimism, that wonders if it’s so bad to have things to look forward to? After all, isn’t it the idea of hope that allows us to keep doing our best through it all?

Some days, when the ‘Monxiety” is at it’s worst, the idea of getting moving and getting in the shower seems too much. Those days I need to pull out tiny micro-moments to look forward to and get me to the next thing; putting my towel on the heat vent so it’s warm when I get out or the anticipation of taking 10 minutes snuggled under a blanket with hot coffee -wedged on the couch between my two kids.

So on this “Leprechaun Day” I’m looking forward to days ahead of warmer weather, to continuing to work with amazing groups working toward supporting kids, and to Auggie’s face when he sees the trail of gold coins after school.

“To all the days, here and after,
may they be filled with fond memories,
happiness and laughter.” ~ Irish Toast

** I can’t get enough of the books by trauma expert Bruce Perry. So I have been glued to every word of his latest, What Happened to You, a collaboration with Oprah. Written in a conversation format, it’s full of stories and examples of how to reframe trauma and move towards a healthy, realistic future. Loved this one!