Woke to a beautiful, brisk Wednesday morning.
I know I wasn't the only parent out there struggling to relay how the temperature outside conflicted with my child's plans to wear shorts to school.
We started out butting heads.
Him huffing and puffing...pulling at his clothes.
Upset with layers -- that's always our compromise when shorts are still top of mind.
Me confirming my role as messenger and the fact that this isn't up to me... 'Sorry, Mother Nature has other plans'
Breakfast...
Him sitting a seat further away from me in protest.
A single tear making it's way down his cheek.
Sniffles.
Me...firmly not giving in.
Time to go.
He puts on his shoes.
I tie them....pause...
...then lean in with the brim of my hat against his forehead.
The biggest smile appears.
We walk to school eating muffins.
Him chatting it up.
Me listening and asking questions to keep him rolling.
We arrive at school, hug and he disappears into a sea of kids.
My eyes tearing...
...it's cold and windy after all
Thoughts...
As we race to the 2018 finish line…
Some thoughts on this and that.
I’m slowing down, but life isn’t.
My eyes aren’t what they used to be.
This year ushered in a set of bifocals.
My worries are the same most days. Is everyone OK? What needs to be paid?
I’m enjoying shoots more than ever.
The inner critic remains alongside for the ride, more animated than ever. I chalk that up to caring about delivering. When that voice goes, I’ll probably be not far behind it.
I’m slowing down, but life isn’t.
Every morning I write.
Sometimes a little, sometimes a lot. It pairs well with coffee.
I wish I would have started a long time ago.
I’ve been doing push-ups daily for about a year, maybe more.
Good habits compound.
Our kids love each other most days.
They make us smile big one minute, scream the next.
Legos are still a big thing…as are Fort Nite and YouTube.
I’m slowing down, but life isn’t.
The calendar is full through the end of the year. Par for the course that I’ll miss one day.
Sara and I tag in/out more and more these days.
The EveryDay is good.
A backlog of edits loom.
The EveryDay is everything.
The edits make me appreciative.
I’m slowing down, but life isn’t.
The more I slow down, the easier and easier it is to focus.
…to create (and be of) value.
…to make a mark.
Perhaps it’s just the bifocals.
Take Stock...
A recent email to a friend…
In this fast-paced, distracted, always on world...I think it’s only when we slow down (and let the snow globe settle) that we truly appreciate each other. Life. Our vantage point. Those alongside. The everyday.
It’s quite the ride.
We have to give ourselves permission to create our own ‘turn-offs’ to soak in the view.
Take Stock.
Find Something to Hold on to...
These days I find my head swirling
…and while I think fatigue is always a given
Life is just…
Swirling
…with good news and bad
…via social media feeds
Texts
Calls
…whether they’re my own, Sara’s or someone else close to me
The flow…is fierce
Any lulls are short lived
…but welcome
So welcome
…like a quiet morning just before first light
When the world, it seems…
Doesn’t quite rest (as it should)..
…but pause
…for a quick breath
Before jumping back into the hustle
Where simple walks with Finn make way…
…for a clear head
And promise of nothing more than a walk.
The here. The now.
I experience this like everyone else
…but can’t help feeling removed more times than not
Feet firmly planted in my own mire…
…sunken down a few inches into the sediment as if I’m making every effort to take root
To be steadfast
Detached
…to resist.
And I watch
…and can almost see the wind kick up
…and the swirl start
…and the torrent of activity
Sucking up all within its path…
…willing or not
A new day is here.
Find something to hold on to…
The Difference a Day Makes...
Yesterday I woke up not feeling quite like myself.
I ended up spending about 4 hours in the ER.
The diagnosis...kidney stones. Pain level...the worst I've ever felt in my life.
This morning I woke up feeling normal. I'm not sure if I've passed anything yet or whether things have just shifted into a favorable position.
Either way, I'm feeling fortunate and enjoying this view.
The difference a day makes.
Yet another reminder to soak in these days (and the ones that you love most) because you never know what's around the next bend in the road...
