I first met Whimsy when I was a child.
She was fun and lighthearted and I was … well, I was learning to come out of my shell.
I remember she was patient with me, always inviting me to join her, even when I’d gasp in horror at something she’d just dared to do! And she kept my curiosity piqued.
“How could someone be so casually FREE?” I’d wonder to myself.
“How can she just PLAY like that and not care what anyone else thinks?”
She just embraced the best and left the rest. Seemingly with such ease.
I was in awe.
I watched her first with caution. It almost felt unsafe to be so bold.
Curiosity followed, as I pondered her unwavering dedication to joy.
Excitement came next, as I saw what unfolded before her as she explored.
But through the years it turned to envy as I resisted joining in.
It was hard for me to see her enjoy the things I didn’t feel I had the liberty to.
✨ She’d stop to watch a butterfly caress the sky.
✨ If there was a cute creature to snuggle, you’d better believe she’d take the opportunity!
✨ Dancing when she heard music was a natural must with no second thoughts about it.
✨ Literally pause to smell the roses? But, of course! Why ever would we not?!
Each moment was steeped with something meaningful, and she was committed to discovering all the special things.
Her attention was captured by life’s delights – the everyday, simple treasures.
I was bogged down by the tasks and the “have to’s” and the responsibilities of the day.
She was actually enjoying each moment of the day while my moments were passing like a bullet train – no time to see the beauty because my nose was to the grindstone.
It wasn’t a purposeful decision, and I didn’t really notice myself slipping away from our friendship, but at some point, there wasn’t anyone near in the rare moments I’d glance up to join the present moment. It wasn’t her that left. I had drifted and lost touch with the very essence of what she’d shown me faithfully through the years – how we’re meant to enjoy life.
It took me years to realize – to heal, to remember who I was, to turn back to a child-like awe.
It took courage to reach out to Whimsy after I’d left so poorly.
“Were her feelings going to be hurt?”
“Would she even want anything to do with me again after I just abandoned her like that?
“Would she forgive me?”
Especially since she’d done nothing but be her beautiful self.
I was uneasy. Nervous, even, to meet her now, as an adult.
“Is she even friends with adults?”
I wasn’t sure how it would play out.
It was me who left, after all.
But, I’d changed.
I’d grown – more confident in my own skin, more comfortable simply being myself, more in line with what I’d learned from her through the years.
My younger self was practically begging me to bring Whimsy into our lives again.
I felt clumsy, but I could no longer deny what I needed to do. I simply needed to ask for forgiveness and see if she’d be open to starting over. And so I began to approach…
True to self, before I could even get the words out, Whimsy was immediately welcoming and overflowing with the life-giving cheer I remembered from years ago.
She was as lovely as ever and as her eyes brimmed with happy tears, she fully embraced me with the kind of warmth and kindness that washes away every tinge of heaviness life had tried to weigh me down with.
It was healing and sweet to melt into that hug, and before I knew it, the happy tears had passed to me, my eyes spilling droplets down my cheeks as we laughed with joy to be back together again!
It’s been awhile now, since our friendship has been renewed, and life is sweeter than ever – days flavored by goodness and health for my mind, body, and soul.
My heart sometimes tries to turn to sadness, thinking about the years it went without Whimsy, but it softly shifts back to joy when it realizes we never have to go without her again.
That, right there, is worthy of serious gratitude!
As ethereal as Whimsy can be, she’s also grounded and consistent. She is steadfast and full of grace, and she’s the kind of friend everyone needs – reminding us to not just live in the present moment, but appreciate it…and to find the joy that’s there.
Whimsy, I love you endlessly, and I’m so thankful for your beautiful example and tender reminders to seek delights and invite others along, always.
Yours truly,
xoxo Susan
