I’ve been living a life of adventure and sheer beauty, exploring new countries and cultures, but spending the day with my daughter is truly what it means to be alive. Today, at Windjammer Landing in St. Lucia, we did nothing and everything at the same time. We gave the greatest gift to each other – our time.
With no plans or schedule, we walked along the beach, splashed in the water, and chased each other around. Not once did I think, “Hurry up, Athena”, or “Let’s go.” Nope; time didn’t matter. We had nowhere to be. When she asked if we could cuddle in the hammock, my heart was full with joy. And when she smiled, I saw a mini me looking back. I always found that she looked so much like her father but every so often, I can see my eyes, my lips, my face looking back. Maybe it’s her mannerisms or maybe she is actually starting to look like me, but it doesn’t matter. It’s the happiest I’ve ever felt in life.
Eventually, we walked up to the children’s play area and both enjoyed the swings and slide. I cast my eyes to the sky and felt the breeze on my face. When I looked back down, Athena was mirroring me. Our children learn from so much more than our words. It’s everything about us that makes them.
Our time in the pool was equally rewarding. The daredevil look that she gets on her face is the best reminder that she’s definitely like her mother and happiness exudes from her like a breath of fresh air on a warm sunny day.
Many things are not equal or fair in life but we all get the same 24 hours and we choose how we spend them. We make time for what we want. Make time for your children and teach them that they’ve made your life worthwhile.
Athena, I love you with every ounce of my being and you’ve brought more joy into my life today than an infinity without you. Being with you is what it means to truly be alive.
Bucket List Publications 
That was beautiful! She really is at the most precious age….well my favorite anyway. All I did was blink and now I have teenagers, enjoy every moment with your mini-me! 🙂
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It is a great age. She is starting to understand tone and consequences. She is loving and funny and still naps 😉 It’s the best of both worlds. How old are your kids? How many do you have?
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Two and they are 19 and 17 which makes me very old. I was young and they were toddlers just yesterday, time flies…..enjoy every minute! 🙂
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Love this post! Your joy and love reminded me of my kiddos and made my heart smile!
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How old are you kids now? She brings me such happiness and joy. Every stage offers it’s perks. 🙂
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3 and 4. The perfect age. They can wipe themselves and communicate without crying (most days) but still require a harness in the car (so they can’t touch each other)…
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It’s heartwarming to see you enjoying your life with Athena doing the little things that count. This time goes by in a flash. My boys are now 31 and 33 and it seemed only yesterday we were sailing our Hobie cat across the Hawaiian waters or driving our VW Van across America. Hold each memory in your heart so when she is grown and on her own, you can pull them out and treasure them all over again.
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Sounds like you made amazing memories with your children. It shapes them into great people. I wish you many more amazing experiencing with your kids (I know they are older but they are always our kids, right?) 🙂
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What a wonderful ode to motherhood!
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I’ve been following your blog for a few years now. To be honest, I don’t read it that regularly and I comment even less, but I remember that when I first started reading you were childless. Then your daughter was born and I wondered what you would do. And it didn’t stop you. Now your daughter is getting older and you’re still going and incorporating her in a great way. It’s nice to see.
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I must be very emotional today because your comment almost made me cry… with happiness. Thank you for following along and taking the time to comment. When I got pregnant, I wondered if it would actually be possible to make it all work. There were too many skeptics and it got to me but we’re living a life that I never thought possible and loving every minute of it. I’m starting to believe that a dream life is possible if you put it out there. 🙂
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I just spent the day on an 8.5 mile hike with my mom, who turned 79 today. Along the way, we came across two couples who were backpacking with their children. One was 20 months old, the other 22 months old. I congratulated them on not letting the presence of little ones preventing them from continuing to live their lives. And also giving their children the experiences they were. Even if they don’t remember all of the details because of how young they are, there is a huge benefit in giving them these experiences. So, I applaud you as well. Something I didn’t do with my kids as much as I would have liked.
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She is a cutie 🙂
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Am so glad you are enjoying your holiday. Your daughter is beautiful and being able to spend quality time with our children is one of the best gifts of all 🙂
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I am blessed to have the time to spend with her and to make these lasting memories. I will cherish these days for the rest of my life. 🙂
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Thank you for sharing!!! 💗💗
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This was such a lovely post, made me well up! I’m so glad that you both had an amazing time 🙂 x
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Thank you! She’s sleeping now, but every moment of our days here have been spent together. It has been a great bonding experience. 🙂
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A great day to treasure, so often we find our days are consumed without realising it. Hope you have many more days like this one
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Thank you! I’m not immune to letting the days pass without noticing but I try to be grateful for my life and experiences and remind myself that her childhood is going by with the blink of an eye. I don’t want to miss it. 🙂
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Such beautiful picture and love the Joy on both your faces!!! It’s great that you can do something that you love and still incorporate family time. Moments to treasure ♥
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What a beautiful post!! Your daughter is so adorable and it is cool she gets to see and experience the wonderful places you travel too! Very few kids get that experience! Hugz Lisa and Bear
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such a beautiful post. i totally agree with the post.
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She has the most wonderful smile! It’s so good to be able to travel together! Time goes by so quickly! ❤
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Hi Lesley,
Having children – I think, is one of the most precious gifts we have been given and like you quite rightly say – our time is the most important thing we have to share with them. It helps show them the value of them. 🙂
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You have your priorities set in the right position and your husband and daughter are the beneficiaries of all you have to offer. May you continue to enjoy life.
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Beautiful! Thank you! Every day is a blessing and I try to make time for what matters. I don’t always get it right, but I work at it constantly. 🙂
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Lovely!
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I haven’t read any of your posts in quite some time but today I happened across this and it was a refreshing start to my day. Glad your most simple adventure was one of the richest of all time…
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A lovely post! Good to be reminded that in the end it is the time making memories with our children that will last in their memories for life. Thank you.
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Love reading about your adventures. You are so fortunate to be able to travel and explore the world. Love the photos with Athena.
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Lovely and true.
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Having fun with the kids has never ended for us. We had fun with our kids, then with the grand kids and now with the great grand kids. It just goes on and on.
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Definitely true. I like it when we go anywhere and I don’t feel like I have to rush my kids…totally takes the edge off. And I completely agree with you, spending quality time with kids is an awesome adventure in itself, that’s kind of the reason why I decided to do the Sandbox List Adventures two years ago. It feels good that I’m creating moments for my kids. Nice post!
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I perfectly understand the love you have for you child, absolutely boundless 🙂
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“Many things are not equal or fair in life but we all get the same 24 hours and we choose how we spend them. We make time for what we want.” How very true. –Curt
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At the end of the day, that’s all that really matters.
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Couldn’t agree with you more. Think my little girl is a month or two behind Athena in age. Pure joy and without hesitation truly the best thing I have ever done in my life
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To bad they don’t have a “love” button. Your posts and beautiful pictures deserve so much more than a “like”.
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Enjoy your time together because they grow up so fast :).
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I’m so glad you get to really enjoy your time with Athena… it is so special! All of the traveling is truly a gift, and amazing, but I keep wishing you had more time in these remarkable places. There is so much to be discovered in those very quiet, unplanned moments… for that, you need time to just be there. Catch 22, no doubt! We leave for Fiji on Friday; I’ll be thinking of you as we travel! xox
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Lovely post! Wow I cannot believe how big she is, it seems time truly does fly. Hence why it is important to truly live and enjoy each day as much as possible. You are doing just that and at the same time teaching your daughter to do the same.
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gift of time! how necessary and worthy.
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i’m happy for you both and glad to know she had a blast traveling with her mum. maybe you should do this more often if possible.
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