Our son, 16, was lamenting the soon-to-start school year.

“They should make a law that every month has to be 50 days long,” he said, inventing ways to stall the inevitable start of the always-tough junior year of high school.

“And then school wouldn’t start until August 45th,” he mused, filling in the detail of the dream.

I laughed.

“When I look back at the most perfect moment of the summer, I get sad that it’s gone,” he said, wistful yet smiling at the memory of that most perfect moment, now long gone.

My reaction was a swift, sudden burst of positive energy. I could notice, could appreciate his feelings, but could not, in this case, commiserate. He was missing the perfect moment…at that moment.

“I know, but you just have to make MORE moments…or see the ones that are there and quickly gone,” I said.

Perfect moments, gone, do not mean perfect moments won’t come again.

Perfect moments can happen weekly, even daily, and you may notice them or – if deep in thought, planning or worry – you may not. (My dad and I were talking the other day about what you miss when your “worry glasses” are on).

Matt smiled, and continued to pet Abby, one of our two beloved dogs.

“See, THIS moment – RIGHT NOW – is one of Abby’s most perfect moments,” I said.

He smiled. He saw.

How about you:

- When was your last perfect moment?

- Was it a moment that you expected?

- Did you do something to create it, such as to plan an event, or work toward a long-pursued goal?

- Or was it a moment that surprised you? (Sometimes perfect moments occur in the simplest circumstances).

Sometimes just paying attention – noticing them – is all that it takes to realize there are more perfect moments than you thought.