My whole life, I've been called a "deep feeler."  When I feel an emotion, it puts me on my heels, and it's impossible for me to operate in the world.  (True story: I once saw a goose get hit by a car on the highway, and I had to take off the rest of the day because I couldn't stop sobbing). Lucky for me, I know what an emotional basket case I am, so I've found ways to deal with it.  I spend most days with my head down, plowing through problems with thought and practicality.  And while I'm a pretty happy person, I don't let myself feel very much.  My heart is under lock and key.  

And I'm the only one with the key.

Or so I thought.  On Thursday, I went to drop off my kids to their daycare in our neighborhood.  My toddler grabbed my leg and said, "Mommy, I don't want to go in this house.  Please don't go."  

Apparently my toddler also has a key.

So with one million "more important" things to do, I took off on Friday and had a date with my kids.  We went to the Madison Children's Museum and the Henry Villas Zoo. We ran through a giant gerbil wheel and held a snake. We ate sorbet for lunch and french fries for dinner.  We sang Old McDonald over and over again until they both fell asleep in the car, and I listened to them snore as we drove home.

And I of course bawled big quiet tears of joy.  

Reader, I just wanted to take a moment to reflect on the importance of doing the "less important" things.  Right now, my husband and I are barely scraping by financially, and we've prioritized our life entirely around work.  We rarely do things without intention, and we NEVER do anything we consider to be frivolous. But those frivolous times that make our hearts explode are recharging.  They help us focus.  They give us clarity.  And surprisingly, nothing so grounds me as taking time to be lighthearted.

Whatever you're up to this week, I hope you're carving out a little time for frivolity. It's just as important as the important stuff.  See you next Sunday. -Em