My daughter and I went to the zoo

My daughter and I went to the zoo.

Now 10 years old, Bianca and I have gone every year since she was born.

Most recently, it was a gorgeous sunny spring day.

Not too hot

Not too cold.

Not too busy.

As we walked through the zoo, I felt moments of nostalgia.

Bianca’s 5th birthday when she pet a penguin.

Zoo Lights in below zero temperatures.

When a rhino almost urinated on my dad when I was a kid.

When Bianca and I got home, I began scrolling through old photos.

Each brought me back to that moment.

I felt sentimental.

These were meaningful experiences with meaningful people.

But something really got me.

As these moments were happening, I had no idea I would remember and value them years later.

At the time, each seemed normal.

My realization wasn’t just true of zoo photos.

I began thinking of…

Family barbecues.

Nights out with friends.

Late-night projects with co-workers.

Each seemed routine at the time.

But little did I know how precious those moments would be later.

If this was true of past experiences, it’s fair to assume it’ll be true of those happening now.

In the current moment, we often don’t understand what we have.

Family.

Friends.

Co-workers.

Clients.

How do we give greater importance to every moment?

How do we appreciate those around us more?

Because sometimes, you will not know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory.