JulieLeung.com: a life told in tidepools

I’ve been busy these past few days celebrating Abigail’s sixth birthday. I’ll try to catch up as I can…Earlier this week, Anita Sharpe at Worthwhile encouraged readers to quickly name Six Things that Inspire You .

I can make a list of things that inspire me but I think that a better word might be experiences. Walking barefoot on the beach at sunset. Running hills on a misty morning. Hiking through cedar forests and wild blueberry patches in the mountains. Watching turtles swim or pandas play or insects scurry. Taking the girls on an adventure somewhere new, such as riding the bus downtown…(more on that later…) Going on a date (or having any time alone) with my beloved…

But what inspires me the most, I find, is when I do something that brings my husband and children joy. The other day I had fun plotting a little surprise for Ted . Sometimes it’s something small and spontaneous, such as giving the girls stickers in the middle of the afternoon for “no reason”. Although preparing for Abigail’s birthday has kept me busy, I’ve enjoyed celebrating her. As I worked on her card late one night and wrote her the poem she requested, I imagined how I hoped she would like it. The anticipation and tissue paper, the creativity and care, the looks of surprise and happiness.

I like giving gifts. I like to craft a card or send a surprise to a friend if I can. Email or snail mail. Brainstorming ways to show my family my feelings for them is fun.

But it doesn’t have to be a tangible gift bought and wrapped, or fashioned from blue paper and glue to give inspiration. It can be a trip to the park in the van or a trip upstairs in my arms. Hugs and kisses, caresses, whispered words and pronounced praise, tickles and giggles, patience and mercy can all bring a smile to a loved one’s face. And to mine.

Whenever I see someone I love smile, I smile too. That joy inspires me more than any thing.

The other day Ted used a glass of water to explain batteries to the girls. He said the glass was like a rechargable battery: it can be emptied and refilled. Loving people is like water to me. It’s electricity. Love recharges my batteries.