Did you know the word serendipity came from a fairy tale? It’s a word we don’t use often, but if you think about it, moms actually experience serendipity every day.
Serendipity first appeared in print in the English language in 1754, coined by a man named Horace Walpole in a letter to a friend.
Serendipity first appeared in print in the English language in 1754, coined by a man named Horace Walpole in a letter to a friend.
Walpole, after reading a fairy tale named “The Three Princes of Serendip,” came up with the word serendipity. Serendip (the Persian name for Sri Lanka) is the setting of this fairy tale in which the trio of princes make a number of discoveries through a combination of what Walpole called “accidents and sagacity (wisdom).”
In the fairy tale, the princes stumble upon discoveries and use their wisdom to piece together clues, arriving at an educated conclusion. Walpole called this “accidental sagacity.”
Today, serendipity is often used to represent a “happy accident” – a discovery stumbled upon much like a pot of gold. For a writer’s take on serendipity, see my post here. But a mom’s take on serendipity?
I’ve decided a mom’s life is full of serendipity.
We set off down the path of laundry, boo-boos, discarded toys, mismatched socks and sometimes we begin to grumble. Then, all of a sudden, we get tripped up by a little pot of gold.
That’s serendipity.
What’s a mom’s pot of gold?
The sweet comment. The chubby arms ‘round your neck. The shy, “Thanks, Mom” from your boy. The little eyes that look with such love that you feel like Mother of the Year.
Oh, what a blessing!
In the fairy tale, the princes stumble upon discoveries and use their wisdom to piece together clues, arriving at an educated conclusion. Walpole called this “accidental sagacity.”
Today, serendipity is often used to represent a “happy accident” – a discovery stumbled upon much like a pot of gold. For a writer’s take on serendipity, see my post here. But a mom’s take on serendipity?
I’ve decided a mom’s life is full of serendipity.
We set off down the path of laundry, boo-boos, discarded toys, mismatched socks and sometimes we begin to grumble. Then, all of a sudden, we get tripped up by a little pot of gold.
That’s serendipity.
What’s a mom’s pot of gold?
The sweet comment. The chubby arms ‘round your neck. The shy, “Thanks, Mom” from your boy. The little eyes that look with such love that you feel like Mother of the Year.
Oh, what a blessing!
Amid all those dirty socks and diapers, don’t overlook the serendipitous moment.
Laura
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7 comments:
What a beautiful reminder! Thank you!
Had a friend tell me the other day she saw and felt heaven: her 14 month old grandson recognized her when she came to his house, yelled excitedly GRANDMA and ran to embrace her. Now that is serendipity and a peek to our heaven homecoming.
Treasure those moments...they slip away all too quickly!
Thank you for this poignant (and educational!) reminder!
That's exactly what this week has been for me. Mundane things, all of us taking turns being sick, but how wonderful it is to have her curl up in my lap and want to watch the same cartoon over and over again. With me! Of all people!
I hope you had some heavenly moments this week. Have a great weekend!
Oh Laura, those are to be treasured and I think as we grow older, the more precious they become.
I love the phrase "accidental sagacity!"
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