Reverb #4: Wonder

December 4 – Wonder. How did you cultivate a sense of wonder in your life this year? (Author: Jeffrey Davis)

Did I cultivate a sense of wonder? Should I cultivate a sense of wonder, different or better than the one I already have?

What, exactly, does Davis mean by wonder?

Is it to stop and look at a pretty sunset or sunrise when one happens to notice?
Check. I've even been known to interrupt people mid-sentence to say, "Look at that pretty sky!"

Does it mean to marvel at a newborn?
Sorry, no newborns (for me) this year.

But I had an experience last night--I wonder if it was of wonder?

It was the most mundane of situations. My husband and I were grocery shopping. Together. Sans kids. It was the Big Shop. It is difficult to describe just how BIG this big shop is. I'd meant to take my camera and take a shot of all the bags in the back of the jeep, but in the frantic rush to get Aurelia out the door to he Girl Guide meeting at the same time, it was forgotten.

The shopping list was four pages (and a note on the back). C (my husband) had volunteered to go with B, (my son) alone, but I figured I'd better go just to read the list. I could lean on the cart. My back was quite bad--just horrible pain everytime it was jarred or jostled--which basically meant that every step was agonizing. Reaching up for things on the shelves was problematic, reaching down was impossible. So, my husband came with me.

It was fun. He didn't hover. He went off looking for the things I told him to get. I sort of forgot the reason he was with me was to help me--not to help the shopping trip go more efficiently. But, there he was, smiling, walking, catching up, wandering off. He was there. He was helping. It was enough.

And that was just kind of wonderful.

But, you know, if it weren't for this prompt, if it weren't for the awareness, I may never have noticed. I've had my eyes open looking for wonder since this prompt came a few days ago: and that has made all the difference. I feel like I'm on the tip of something important.

I am going to take Mr. Davis up on his offer for the Wonder Guidebooks. Check out the generous offer on his blog here: Tracking Wonder.

and, pardon me, but, have a wonder-full day.