mo·men·tous
/mōˈmen(t)əs/
adj.
a. of great importance or significance, especially in its bearing on the future.
You know those moments that really stick? The ones that will forever be a part of you? Or how about those moments that you know you’ll never be able to go back and experience again the same way?
Yeah, let’s talk about those.
Reading your favourite book.
The first time you read a really good book is significantly different than any time after. Maybe the book was recommended to you, or maybe you just liked the way it looked. Either way, the words on those pages changed you. You fell in love with the characters, escaped for a while into a whole new world, and journeyed through the plot with fresh eyes. You could make predictions, but you had to keep reading to find out the truth. That first time was full of anticipation.
After a time, you may go back and read that book again, and although you may have forgotten some of the finer details, you cannot escape the knowledge you previously gained. You know the characters, you know the plot, you know the ending. Rereading your favourite book is an entirely different adventure.
Meeting your best friend.
As kids, its easy to just play with whomever is nearby: a neighbour, a classmate, a fellow church kid. And maybe that turns into a lifelong friendship, but maybe it doesn’t. Later in life, though, when you have the ability to recognize the value of a friendship, the experience of meeting a friend is extra special. It’s not everyday that you meet someone who makes you feel comfortable, loved and free to be yourself.
I once read a tweet by Bill Murray which reads, “Friendship is weird…You just pick a human you’ve met and you’re like ‘yep, I like this one’ and you just do stuff together.” When you think about it, friendship really is quite odd. What is it about this person that makes you want to spend so much time with them? More than likely, it’s because of the things you have in common. Maybe you have the same values and goals, maybe you both like the same kinds of adventures, or maybe you laugh at the same jokes. Either way, meeting this person was positively different, and you knew you had to hold onto it.
Even if the first time you met was a bit awkward, when you look back at the friendship that grew, that first encounter becomes precious, too. And if you could go back in time to meet that person again knowing all of life that you would come to share, how much more special would that moment be?
First love, first heartbreak.
Our personal experiences may differ, but I’m confident that many of you know what I’m talking about here. It’s that moment when your secret crush turns into something more. When you get asked out on your first date and the butterflies are raging because you’re overwhelmingly excited and dangerously nervous all at the same time.
The first person you love is so special because it’s all so pure. If you’re anything like me, you probably didn’t let those around you know it, but you dove in head first. You weren’t afraid to feel because you had so much hope and faith in these beautiful new feelings.
The worst part, though, is that this first love often leads to your first heartbreak. And that’s another unforgettable experience in itself. What made you feel beautiful, confident and valued has now made you feel worthless, doubtful and sad. Your experience of love is never quite the same afterwards.
A university acceptance letter.
You hear your mom calling you from downstairs. There’s a letter in the mail for you. You run down the stairs, grab the envelope and read the top left corner. It’s from a university, and not just any university; it’s your top choice – the one you’ve dreamt about and worked so hard for. There’s a moment of pause before you open it, because you know it could make or break you.
You tear open the envelope and slip the folded paper out slowly. You open it up and though you try to focus on reading it, you can’t help scanning for key words. And then there it is – the word that changes you forever: ACCEPTED. You can’t even finish reading because your eyes well up with tears. You scream out the exciting news for all to hear, and next thing you know, your parents are looking back at you with the same glossy eyes. You did it.
Although I don’t remember all of the circumstantial details of this event, I can still clearly remember that sense of overwhelming pride and excitement. The path that I had been walking was leading to a door that had just swung wide open. It was a clear sign to me that I was exactly where I needed to be.
A marriage proposal.
Two and a half years ago, on the first day of summer, my hubby got down on one knee and asked me a life-changing question. Many of you have already heard this story, and it’s no surprise that this would make it onto a list of momentous occasions.
Warm sunshine, sweaty palms, faint music, quiet words, a sparkly diamond, and a confident “YES.”
It took me quite a long time afterwards to come back down to reality. I remember calling both sets of parents, but I have no idea what we said because I couldn’t stop staring at the ring on my finger and the man sitting to my right. I was awestruck by the commitment and elated at the prospect of our life together.
First trip on an airplane.
At the age of twenty-two, I hopped on board my very first airplane without a clue of what to expect. I was headed to South America on an international practicum with teacher friends who had all done their fair share of travel.
As we boarded the plane and got settled for take off, I remember a few laughs as they answered my ‘first timer’ questions and watched my excitement unfold. They were kind enough to offer me the window seat, and I couldn’t help but stare as the vehicles below started to look more and more like tiny ants scurrying through a maze. Soon enough, I was gazing into the clouds and watching the sun set in the distance.
The only word I can use to describe this experience is “awe.” I was in awe of the world around me, in awe of the way things were created, in awe of the way I could travel, in awe of the places I could see. I’ve taken two more trips since then, and while the thrill still exists, it’s never been quite the same.
Offering a helping hand.
During my trip to Ecuador, I taught English language skills, helped to harvest potatoes and sheer sheep, and spent a day digging trenches for a water pipeline. I met a lot of students and community members who were all incredibly joyful despite their apparent poverty. We helped those who could not help us, and in my opinion, this is the true meaning of giving.
The entirety of my time here was incredible, but there’s one very special moment that I’ll never forget: a small hand clasped in mine, swinging round and round on the playground. For some reason, this little girl chose me to be her playmate. She could not speak a word of English, but the curiosity and playfulness in her eyes spoke volumes. She radiated an innocence and a joy that I continue to strive for each and every day. Without words, she reminded me to look past life’s circumstances and appreciate the simplest of joys.
The tenderness of that moment is still etched in my heart. It’s a feeling I strive to recreate every day.
First day of work.
You know how it feels to be a kid on Christmas morning? That’s kind of how I felt when I walked into my very first day of supply teaching. I wasn’t a stranger to the classroom, by any means, but this day felt like a fresh start. When I stepped foot inside the door, all of my nerves slipped away. It didn’t matter what happened that day because all I could feel was incredible excitement and pride.
For me, it wasn’t the idea of getting my first teacher paycheque, or that I finally had my foot in the door, it was the fact that I was trusted to care for and nurture these young minds, even if just for one day. For me, this was success.
These are some of the moments that I have bottled up for safe keeping. They are precious, life-changing moments that I love to remember when I’ve become discouraged. They remind me of where I’ve been and give me hope for what’s to come. I may never get to experience these things again the same way, but I am grateful to have had them at all.
What do you wish you could experience for the first time all over again?