Remember to skip

This past weekend was uniquely profound to say the least. I was attending a wedding as an uncle for the first time. My niece was getting married! How quickly time flies. The ceremony was held on the shore of Cape Porpoise Maine. As I sat and watched the two at the alter, I began to think about when she was born. I was twelve at the time. Being the baby in my own family I was looking forward to being an older influence. 'Payback for all the torture I received from my six siblings', I thought! Actually, I can't complain. At the ripe age of six my parents were daring enough to leave me in the hands of my oldest brother at his fraternity on parents weekend. A pretty unique experience for a youngster.

The pastor's short sermon caught my attention. He talked about the transitions in life from childhood to adulthood. The metaphor he chose was learning to skip as a child. He explained how as children we have few expectations put upon us by the world other than to experience and experiment with anything and everything. Skipping is one of them. Footloose and fancy free, with no obstacles in our path. As life goes on, and we grow into adulthood the REAL WORLD crosses that path, and leaves behind a trail of decisions, expectations, and pitfalls. What's the first thing that occurs as a result of these? We forget to skip! Our strides become more cautious and directed, being careful to stay on trail. The question is who's trail?

All too often life's responsibilities overshadow our passions, interests, friends, and family. How are our adult lives honoring the enthusiastic and passionate individual inside each of us? Maybe if we take the time to skip, the overbearing realities of adult life can become more manageable. Better yet, maybe we find a way to step off the path, and skip down one of our own!