Put down your phone

A question was asked to me recently, "Do you think we miss out on everything because we constantly view it through a lens?" My best friend and I were watching our kids play at the park on an unusually warm autumn day. Like typical moms we were snapping pictures here and there among chatting.

Before that moment, I had rolled my eyes at the irony of articles I happened to be reading on my phone telling me the world has become too dependent on our cellular devices. However, in that moment it hit me, maybe there is some truth in them. Maybe, just maybe those articles and posts on my phone telling me to get off my phone were right.

As a mom, I want what is best for my kids, we all do. I want them to remember me actively participating in their lives, not just photographing and recording it for them. When they are adults, I want them to look back and remember how we all threw leaves together. We all dove into the snow to make snow angels. The muddy messes we became catching crawdads and making mudpies. I want them to remember that I was present. I want to see them grow up through my eyes instead of a phone screen. I want to be present.

That day, my friend and I were present. We all ended up with leaves in our hair and dirt all over our hands, and there isn't one picture to prove it, but there will always be the day of living it in my kids bank of memories and in mine.