How vital is it to see our world through the eyes of a child or an Alzheimer’s patient, to carry wonder as part of our inventory?
As I leash up his dog, John stuffs cookies into his pocket. On nice days, we walk a nearby trail. And then we purchase a coffee to go with the cookies, and take a leisurely drive through the countryside just east of town.
John, a retired commercial airline pilot, has Alzheimer’s. My friend, Cynthia, can’t leave her husband alone, so I hang out with him once a week, which allows her time to run errands, purchase groceries, keep a medical appointment.
One of the things I enjoy about being in John’s company is his ability to see the world in delight.
The word Wow shows up quite frequently in conversations with him.
“Oh, my gosh! Look at the size of that mountain! So beautiful! Wow! Wow!”
“Wow, did you see those llamas? So cute! So cute!”
“Wow, look at how high he’s soaring! Did you see that hawk? Oh, look! There’s two of them! Jimeneez!”
I like to think of myself as a noticer, as someone who pays attention to life, to beauty in nature, to the overflowing amount of things there are to be grateful for.
But John surpasses me in so many ways.
This thought from Anne Lamott:
Try walking around with a child who’s going, ‘Wow, wow! Look at that dirty dog! Look at that burned-down house!’ … The child points and you look, and you see, and you start going, ‘Wow! Look at that huge crazy hedge! Look at that teeny baby!’
There’s an in-town trail that I’ve walked dozens of times — maybe even hundreds of times. I think when something becomes so familiar, we fail to notice the amazingness of it, which applies to our people, as well.
John inspired me to notice this favorite trail anew. To look through his eyes.
The colors of spring. A mama duck conducting swimming lessons. Impossibly tall trees. Rugged rock formations across the water.
Anne Lamott finishes her thought:
I think this is how we’re supposed to be in the world—present and in awe.
Thank you, John, for reminding me to be present in the moment, to be awestruck in the moment.
To pay attention and speak gratitude to the Creator of all this wonder.
To remember to notice the cool breeze off the river, smell the sunbaked pine needles on a dirt-packed trail, listen to the roar of water rushing over boulders, taste the sweetness of a hot Chai tea on an outdoor patio afterward.
How vital is it to see our world through the eyes of a child or an Alzheimer’s patient, to carry wonder as part of our inventory?
It’s critical. Because seeing, really seeing, triggers gratitude. And a grateful heart—especially during hard and holy moments—produces joy. And if we want this joy, then perhaps we should cultivate awestruck-ness.
Call to action
What if we got outdoors at least one day this week — even if we’re only able to travel as far as our front porch or back patio?
And if we have the capability, what if we photographed the beauty and uniqueness that catches our eyes? Because having cameras in our hands causes us to notice more. And what if we listened, really listened, to identify the sounds in nature?
How would this change our outlook as we wrestle with the adversities of life that will surely touch us all?
Melissa Henderson
Beautiful message. I have had friends with Alzheimers. Their view of the world can teach us a lot of important lessons.
Marlys Johnson
Well said, Melissa: “Their view of the world can teach us a lot of important lessons.” It’s this viewpoint that I want to carry around with me. Thank you.
Becky Lamb
I love it!
Marlys Johnson
Thank you, Becky. Hanging out with John has been a lovely ongoing reminder to stay present and in wonder!
Grace Lawson
Thank you so very much for helping Cynthia and John. Truly wonderful Dear Marlys !!! God bless you !!!
Marlys Johnson
Ah, Grace — it’s Cynthia and John who have blessed me. Thank you for your kind words.
Peter
Dear Marlys,
I’m often in that similar situation, as my Barbara sees things ‘for what they are’, as (her brain continues to repair itself). so I regularly get a running commentary of the surrounding wilderness through Barbara’s eyes AND because of the injury to her brain, maybe I DON’T realise just how ‘wonderful nature is presently’ through Barbara eyes, in the same way that John has his WOW moments. I’ve mentioned that I’ve taken to sketching and become very encouraged by what God gave me, those God given skills. A caring lady Chrystl, sent a ‘get well’ card to Barbara with some up to date news, so I thanked her with a reply and mentioned that our 56th wedding anniversary was due 8th June. I included with my reply, a copy of a sketch of 2 roses which I’d done. This kindly lady decided to send us an anniversary card to us AND she returned my sketch of the 2 roses (she’d had the sketch made into a ‘wedding anniversary’ card with touching/meaningful wording). Barbara opened the envelope with this card in and she was quite emotional when reading and commenting on this card, however she hadn’t realised that the 2 roses on the card was my sketch. When I mentioned the roses to Barbara and asked her to look at them carefully, she immediately commented, “Of course it’s your drawing, how did Chrystl have this drawing of yours?”. I explained and there were more emotions from and for my Barbara as she recognised the Joy of what Chrystl had created. And may I say…. there are so often, such Wow moments when seeing children, who point out the wonders they are seeing/experiencing. Such a touching read Marlys, hope John continues to surprise more folk ‘in his way’, such sharing. God Bless, Bx P & family. (We sang at Pentecost service this morning and there were lots of ‘Flame colours’, including what we chose to wear ‘bright reds/yellows etc’ and folks visiting from other churches were WOWING at what went on… especially our Gospel chants/songs…. we were blessed with the Holy Spirit, Amen). Our love, Bx & P
Marlys Johnson
Oh, Peter, I love the story of your sketch turned into an anniversary card! How lovely — thank you for sharing!