“Keep your best wishes close to your heart and watch what happens.”

I’ve started taking long walks with my sweet babies again. It’s something that I didn’t do often after Marina was born. Recently, though, she’s been doing much better in the stroller.

I forgot how much joy these long walks bring to my heart. We take the same path most times. We drive to my parent’s house and park the car. Then I load everybody into our stroller. We meander around lots of little side streets, by my old elementary school, and past a few playgrounds. On the trip back, we stop at the ball field and Roman plays on the little playground there. Sometimes Marina falls asleep, but only after a long while of taking in all of the sights with wide eyes. We collect things along the way, like discarded baseballs, pine cones, and crab apples.

Perhaps it sounds crazy, because it’s only a simple walk, but it’s just magical for me. On the days when Marina is quiet and the weather is good, I feel like the stars have aligned especially for me & my little ones. It’s so peaceful. I am grateful for my strong legs that push us all along the streets. I am grateful for my giant double stroller that makes me feel like I’m commandeering a massive pirate ship at times. I am grateful for the splendor of nature. I am grateful for the two, tiny, perfect souls that God has entrusted me to mother.

Or perhaps it’s not so crazy at all. Perhaps these walks truly are magical. Perhaps gratitude is the very key to unlocking magic’s door. Perhaps magic isn’t something that you stumble upon, but rather, magic is something you make. ♥