Stuck in a "Moment"

Have you ever caught yourself in a "moment" and thought... "This is something very special, I will remember this forever!"?  It is like you are looking down and seeing something extraordinary.  I am not talking about just good times but times when there is a force bigger than the sum of it's parts.  It is almost a spiritual experience.  I know...this sounds a little wacko and normally I'm not a wacko (hush!) but stick with me here and I'll try to ramble my way to a point.

This past weekend we were in Baton Rouge for the Baptism of our newest family member.  As expected, there were aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents in town for this event.  Any time we all get together can be considered a special experience.  We laugh, we eat, we drink, we reminisce, we cry (usually through laughter) and we always have a great time.  This weekend was no different. 

Happy Baptism! 

gratuitous blue sky and spring flower picture....because it was a beautiful weekend!

Every once in a while though, there are extraordinary moments.  We end up somewhere we never expected and we are taken over by the minutia.  Not everyone in that moment will realize just how special it is, we all have our own perspective and my "moment" is not necessarily your "moment".  It all happened when we were in the kitchen. We were talking and people were coming in and out and the conversation was jumping from one topic to another.  There was plenty of laughter and we were all talking at once....because that's what happens when we are all together, who has time to listen when we all have so much to say!?  Then one person told a story and there was a hush in the room.  It was poignant and we were all brought to tears at the love in the story.  A room full of rowdy people was hushed and awed.  It takes a lot to hush this crowd!  I can only assume that is when the Holy Spirit entered the room and we were all filled. 

These moments don't just happen.  It is not that there aren't lots of special events or family get-togethers but "that feeling" only happens every once in a while.  Not sure what makes a "moment" but I know you have all felt it at one time or another.  Sometimes we are too busy or caught up in our own heads to pay attention enough to realize just how special some times are.  We need to stop, soak it all in and look at our lives from above and then maybe we will realize we are truly blessed to be who we are and where we are, right in that "moment". 

Enough preaching.... now for a few more pictures from the weekend.  Baton Rouge was in full Mardi Gras mode.  We ate crawfish and boudin balls and king cake!  We went to a Mardi Gras parade too.  It was a beautiful sunny day but a bit chilly and very windy.  Everyone still managed to catch their share of beads and we all enjoyed the sunshine.

"Throw us something mister!"

They had to wear all those beads so they did not blow away in the wind!

Hope everyone enjoys the last few days before Lent begins.  Happy Pancake Day to all of my Canadian friends, wipe that syrup off your chin!  Happy Mardi Gras!  I am considering a few Lenten options for the blog so we shall see what happens. 
Forty days of ????  Suggestions?