LIFE IN A WORD

The Word is MOMENTS

Definition: Merriam-Webster Dictionary - A minute portion or point of time

About My LIFE IN A WORD

Each month, I choose one word that captures a powerful life lesson—one that has shaped how I think, feel, and grow. My hope is that these reflections inspire you to pause, look inward, and explore what that same word might mean in your own life.

Posted 12/27/25

My Story on Moments

I am constantly amazed by our brain's ability to recall moments that hold special meaning. How do they happen so spontaneously? Why do some memories stay while others fade? I often have more questions than answers—and so does the scientific community.

The National Institute of Health (NIH) describes the brain as the most complex part of the human body: “This three-pound organ is the seat of intelligence, interpreter of the senses, initiator of body movement, and controller of behavior... the brain is the source of all the qualities that define our humanity. It is the crown jewel of the human body.”

In a world that never stops spinning, I want to focus on the power of standing still to enjoy special moments. It starts by letting go of the "before" and the "after" to fully inhabit the "now." Be Here Now is the mantra I want to share with you. Don’t miss it. Engage with it. Feel it in your body and your mind. When you are truly present, you’ll be amazed at how your brain "bookmarks" that moment for future enjoyment.

The Queen Sized Bed

One such moment occurred in the wee hours of Friday, November 28th—the day after Thanksgiving. I woke up wide-eyed and smiling "from ear to ear," an expression my father used to describe a joy so large it fills your entire face.

I was in my queen-sized bed, but I realized my body was positioned like someone clinging to a life raft to avoid drowning. I was braced against my nightstand just to keep from falling onto the floor.

The culprits? My three- and five-year-old grandsons.

If you have ever shared a bed with grandchildren, the picture is immediately clear. By some law of physics or divine intervention, children in sleep gradually slither toward you. They sprawl, they rotate, and they colonize every inch of space you thought was yours.

There I was: the five-year-old’s knee in my belly and the three-year-old’s arm strewn across my head. In that cramped, slightly uncomfortable instant, the smile hit my face. No matter how compromised my position was, no matter how sleepless the night, the connection to these two beautiful children warmed my heart. Even now, as I write this, that same smile returns.

The Stranger in the Service Station Lounge

Because I believe nothing in life is truly random, I want to share another moment from just last week. I was walking through the door of the service station just two short steps behind another customer. I waited my turn and then took a seat in the customer lounge. Normally, I bring a book or my computer and focus on either of those things. However, in that moment, I immediately struck up a conversation with the gentleman. And before too long we found an incredible amount of common ground.  We engaged in conversation for over an hour and probably would have gone longer, but for the fact that we were informed that both our cars were ready.

Why Moments Matter

I share these stories to emphasize that moments are the fabric of meaningful connection.

My grandsons left an indelible mark on my heart through their physical closeness that night; my encounter with a stranger left an indelible impression of a different kind—the simple, profound connection between one human and another. In this big, unpredictable world, find comfort in knowing there are endless connections to be made and cherished when you learn to live in the moment.

As we move into this New Year, may your heart and mind be open to living in the present. When life gets hard—and it will—I hope you can reach back and recall those tiny moments in time and allow yourself to once again smile from ear to ear.

Wishing you a happy, healthy, and peaceful New Year - filled with precious moments!