Frustrated that despite working from home and really not going anywhere, my house was a mess.\u00a0 A bigger mess than before. Go figure.\u00a0 “Sorry about the mess but we live here!”<\/p>\n
I was frustrated that books sat on the shelf waiting to be read.<\/p>\n
The jigsaw puzzle was left on the table.<\/p>\n
My scrapbook room still full of pictures and stickers – but no scrapbooks made.<\/p>\n
But what I WAS<\/strong> doing was LIVING<\/strong>.\u00a0 Doing things I’d been putting off, blaming lack of time or energy.<\/p>\n I was going for bike rides with my kids.\u00a0 Walking the trails in Canatara Park.\u00a0 Taking the cat for car rides.\u00a0 Spontaneously getting in the car and headed down to the river to watch the sun set.<\/p>\n Going for ice cream just because.<\/p>\n Dancing for no reason, in the living room, just because I played a song I really liked.<\/p>\n I realized, that in this new season, nothing was planned or rushed.\u00a0 There was no “hurry and get it done” anymore.\u00a0 Things are still getting done, but at a more relaxed pace.<\/p>\n I had to let go of what I THOUGHT<\/strong> I should be doing right now, and embrace what was happening.\u00a0 Even if it was different.<\/p>\n Even though it can still feel overwhelming – with the social distancing, and masks, and sanitize – sanitize – sanitize!!!! – everywhere you go – there is still a lot of good coming out of it.<\/p>\n I took the day off on Friday and I finally got to see my dad!\u00a0 I haven’t seen my dad and second mom since before this pandemic hit.\u00a0 \u00a0We sat outside, in the summer sun and heat, and talked and laughed and got caught up from months of not being able to do so in person and it was the best feeling in the world.\u00a0\u00a0I don’t know about you, but even at 48 years old, I still feel like a little girl when I visit my dad.\u00a0 \u00a0There was a lightness in the visit.\u00a0 Because we knew now how special it is.<\/p>\n We know now<\/strong><\/em> how special every ordinary every day thing can now be.\u00a0 Because so much was taken away through this pandemic.<\/p>\n Getting outside.\u00a0 Visiting.\u00a0 Seeing another human face and being able to have a conversation in REAL LIFE and not over a screen or by phone.<\/p>\n We know that sitting down to dinner as a family, and not worrying about what time you eat, is a much more relaxed experience.<\/p>\n Taking time to make a meal, and enjoy it together.<\/p>\n Sitting outside for hours at a time, and staring at the gardens in the backyard.<\/p>\n Blue butterflies, hummingbirds, woodpeckers in the trees.\u00a0 Watching the mouse go back and forth in the garden.\u00a0 Eating my ornamental grasses.\u00a0 Trying not to be bitter about that. (smile)<\/p>\n Life has slowed down.<\/p>\n And because of that, small things are so much more enjoyable.<\/p>\n Sitting around the fire pit in the backyard with my kids this weekend.\u00a0 Staring at the stars in the sky.\u00a0 Making s’mores.\u00a0 Talking about school, friends, boys – moments like those matter more than anything else.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Yesterday, I took a trip to Greenhill Gardens.\u00a0 By MYSELF!\u00a0 And it was an incredible experience.<\/p>\n No planning.<\/p>\n I hopped in the car and drove.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/storage.briwebapp.net\/2020\/08\/9fdb4d51-barn.jpg\")
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