4.21.21 Joy of the Unexpected

In truth, I almost didn’t write tonight. Again. It seems that every night, I am too much or not enough of whatever it is I feel that I need to be to contribute to the world in the way I want. And yet, I have a simple story – so short it is more an occurrence, but a sweet one nonetheless.

I was walking during my daughter’s dance practice, looking up as I normally do on walks (as the sky entertains in a way feet cannot). As I rounded a corner, I saw an older man walking his dog. I looked down long enough to smile at him and wave, and he said, “What an unexpected pleasure.”

That’s it. That is my sweet snippet, and yet when I reflect on this day … it was my blossom. To think that seeing a smile from the other side of the road, from a total stranger could bring this man such joy, brought me joy just to think it possible. We both continued on smiling. I went back to looking up, he went back to walking forward, but he was right, it was an unexpected pleasure. Being given the gift of a smile, one intended specifically for you, is a tiny treasure – a golden moment I tucked into the pocket of my heart.

I hope you found something that warmed you today … something small enough to keep your travels light, and bright.

4.12.21 It Has to Be Alright

I think it’s there

just barely visible

on the edge of a cloud line

on the faintest curve of a smile

that hint

that glint

of light, and hope, and

something

better

is

coming

for no other reason than

it

has

to

Judge as you may,

I’m not prone to naivety,

but rather the need to rely on my faith –

which I admit

can sometimes look the same …

But it feels entirely different

Trust me –

or don’t

but know that I know myself

and the only way I can carry on

is to believe

in the edge

in the curve

in the light

in it has to be alright

soon

4.3.21 “Yes” Day

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It has been a year of “No.” No you can’t go there. No we can’t see them. No school. No sleepovers. No trips. No. No. No. So … inspired by the cute film on Netflix, “Yes Day,” with a few parameters, my husband and I decided that this spring break, though we wouldn’t be going on any trips or seeing friends, we would say YES to a “Yes Day” of our own.

We gave the kids a budget and told them, “No destruction to people or property … AND NO MORE PETS!” (We have 8 in case you didn’t know that fun fact about us – 1 hamster, 3 fish, 2 cats, and 2 dogs … you’re never lonely that’s for sure.) My takeaway is this – I am SO GRATEFUL FOR MY KIDS! They were so fantastic, stayed completely within budget, and even had mini-meetings throughout the day to discuss what might be the best options for time and money. So responsible.

Here is a list of what went down:

1. Breakfast pick up from Chick-Fil-A (Matthew and I had to drive to three to find one open)
2. Go to Walmart to buy Water Wars Ammunition!
3. Have an all-out Water War in the yard (mom and dad had to pick up the 200 balloon pieces)
4. Lunch at Noodles (Matthew and I had to drive to two to find one open … we don’t have good luck with food places or Google Maps)
5. Go mini golfing (The sky rather opened and we got 100% drenched and proceeded to run the course instead of golf it … don’t worry … we hit every single number. We are not quitters.)
6. Went to the mall (in our sopping wet clothes)
7. Got hot, buttered pretzels (mom got a smoothie instead)
8. Went to the toy store
9. Got macaron cookies (white chocolate raspberry was the best)
10. Kids played games while we picked up pizza
11. Took a 9:30 drive to get ice cream before it closed at 10:00
12. Watched two movies (Matthew and I fell asleep for both of them)

All in all, it was an amazing yes day. I think the most memorable part of it, for me, was just the freedom of not having any decisions to make. It was yes. Matthew and I started off with the stipulation that IF we said no, even accidentally, we’d owe them more money. It happened three times and I think they were almost rooting for our mistakes so the budget kept increasing! Ha ha! Delight.

So here’s to yes when you can, no when you have to, and lots and lots of smiles and memories in between.