Fearless Anna

Fearless Anna

     "Live life to the fullest!", "Carpe diem!". I hear it all the time. I sometimes wonder how people do that when they have problems,  have a mortgage, a difficult job, etc. Everyone has something. I'm a generally happy and grateful l person, but I sometimes get irritated at the mantra 'live every moment'.

    I saw it in action on the 4th of July weekend, watching my two-year-old granddaughter.

     On our Independence day celebration she was very brave. She wandered too close to some of the fireworks her dad was doing, but mostly she obeyed. The most fun thing for her were the sparklers. She loved them. Her dad lit one after another for her. She held them way up into the sky and as soon as they went out she dropped them to the ground. When she wasn't doing sparklers, she was oohing and ahing over the fireworks display down the hill from our house in the park. When we all finally went inside, she sat next to me and asked if she could play a game on my phone, and then she promptly fell asleep, her head on my shoulder. A few minutes later her father picked her up and carried her to the car.
     It occurred to me how she enjoyed the day. I know part of it is her personality, but also I think the fact that she has no fear gave her freedom to just enjoy. Anna has wonderful parents who keep her healthy and safe. Her face reflects the love that is in our family. She's not afraid to try new things because she has the assurance that her mom and dad are watching her. All her needs are met, and so she is free to wonder at the sparkling fire before her.

     How many hundreds of times in the scriptures does it say, "Do not fear?"  I want  to be like fearless Anna. - to live in a an abandoned way knowing that my heavenly Father has me safely in the palm of His hand - to hold life's miracles in awe before me, and to drop and discard things that no longer matter. I'd love to be able to live in such a fearless way, and then drop off to sleep at night without fear, having spent and poured myself out in the miracles and challenges of everyday.

     What a life - to wake up to every day, knowing that we are blessed, secure, and loved and that when it's ove, He will carry us to heaven. Anna made me think of  that scripture "I will lie down and sleep in pie peace, for you Oh Lord are with me.' (Psalm 4:8)

     Thanks so much Father and thank you Anna. Yes, we can go do bubbles now.