Savor gifts of little moments

My 4-year-old nephew Gavin picked out my toenail polish.

I’m sporting a rather shocking, glaring pink polish. I’ve told people not to look directly at my toes, because they’ll go blind from the glare.

Gavin was very proud of his choice; I’m grateful that he moved on from the mustard-yellow-glitter polish, and the speckly purple polish, and the blue with silver flecky-bits polish.

It took him a long time to choose. I had to lift him up and go from shelf to shelf, bottle to bottle, so that he could pick each one up and inspect it for color, glitter, and whatever other requirements there are in a 4-year-old’s mind.

As his mom and nana looked on — and tried to get him to pick something a little less “loud,” — he continued his quest as I lifted him up to the different shelves. For the moment, he was having fun, hanging out with his mom, nana and auntie in a crowded nail salon.

I kept telling myself it’s just polish, and whatever color he chose — obnoxiously loud or not — would eventually fade.

Gavin’s antics took me down memory lane. His mom, my sister Sarah, also picked out toenail polish for me when she was about the same age. And much like Gavin, she was much more adventurous than I was about toenail colors.

It really isn’t about the polish color (much). It’s more about the time we slow down from the chaotic pace of everyday life, and just enjoy the moment. In that crowded nail salon, we had many generations of the same family, just being in the moment and enjoying our time and each other’s company. Throw in pedicures for three women and a floor show provided by a 4-year-old cherub, it’s a win-win event.

These little moments are gifts. I’d forgotten how Sarah would pick polish for me or tell me I needed to try a different color. It wasn’t until Gavin did the exact same thing, that I was transported back in time. I was lucky to have that experience one time; I’m savoring the moments I get to repeat even more.

Patti Dobson writes about faith for The Eastern New Mexico News. Contact her at:

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