First, let's get this out of the way...1200+ page views! Really? I'm flattered and honored, and awestruck. Thank you so much for reading. I really appreciate it. Now, on to the good stuff.
We're gearing up for that busy time of year again, if we're not already in it. School is one-quarter of the way finished, fall sports are winding down, Halloween is on its way, we're in that weird weather phase of needing heat one day and a/c the next. After the Halloween hype is over, it will be time to start thinking about Thanksgiving, and then *gasp*, Christmas! In addition, at this particular moment, the northeast is in the midst of some kind of storm that I can no longer keep track of. Maybe it seems to be going more quickly than usual because I have also been caught up with stuff at work, which ultimately is only bringing me down. That has got to go! Resolution number 1 - get over work crap! Enjoy the good stuff in life and leave the rest of it behind!
I'm also inspired by the Caring Bridge journal kept by the family of Will Lucas, a little boy who was struck with an aggressive brain cancer a couple years ago, and recently passed away when his little body just couldn't fight anymore. If you're in for some sad, but courageous, stories, grab a box of tissues and a loved one and head on over to http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/willlucas. There you will find the blog written by Will's beautiful mother as she and her family move through her young son's battle with cancer, including the aftermath as they attempt to heal and move on with their lives, if that is even possible.
Anyway, she wrote that Will's birthday was sometime recently. They decided that in honor of Will, they would hold carpe diem day! The point was not really to do anything particularly special, but to delight in the things you were doing as never before. For example, if you were taking your morning walk, stop to look at the pretty flowers on the ground, or marvel at how those pesky fire ants really get from one spot to another (but stay FAR away from their hill, or...well you know!). If you are on the phone with a family member, take the time to really tell them you love them, enjoy their company, and appreciate them for all that they are. If you're just sitting and reading the newspaper, take in the full story you would have otherwise ignored.
So, I am promising myself to seize the day a little more often! For a worrier like myself, that is no easy task. I mean, what if my plans go wrong? What if I forgot something? What if I could have done something better? What if? What if? What if? In my attempt to live in the moment, I have given up a lot of that worrying. If you don't believe me, just ask my friends. Plans go awry? Seize the day! Use it for something else! Forgot something? Seize the day and make it work another day or another way! Found something better along the way? Seize the day and go do that instead!
Earlier today I asked Skylar, age 12, when Mimi and Papa (my parents) were coming to visit. She told me it would be in 4 weeks. I said, "and guess what we're going to do the weekend before they come!" "I already know, clean the house," was her response. Not quite what I was going for. I was planning to decorate for Christmas, even though it will be ridiculously early. Of course my house will be clean when they arrive, but this year, I'm going to try to put more effort into focusing on the fun stuff, the good stuff, the stuff we will really remember in 100 years. Do I really want my kids telling their kids, "and every time we had company, mom made us clean like crazy people for an entire week first"? Or, would I rather they tell their kids, "and mom would let us decorate for Christmas even though it wasn't even Thanksgiving yet!" I think I'll take the latter. It makes for a much better story. Kinda makes me sound cool, I think.
I've got four weeks til my family gets here, yay! My mom and dad, and brother, will be at the airport in almost exactly 4 weeks to the hour as I write this. I think I will spend that time doing the majority of the sprucing up myself so that the kids and I can enjoy the Carpe Diem-ing it in a couple weeks when it's time to get out those decorations and get ready for our first Christmas celebration of the year! Time goes so quickly. Sometimes it's hard to remember to enjoy the moment. As a closing thought, I really like this quote, which quite nicely sums up everything I just tried to say:
“We're so busy watching out for what's just ahead of us that we don't take time to enjoy where we are.”
―
Bill Watterson
