Gratitude Friday...
The week is coming to an end. Our bags are packed. The gifts are loaded in the car. Family on both sides have been hugged, hugged and hugged again. Apart from a minor Tylenol PM emergency (not to confused with a flat tire on the side of interstate kind of emergency - TPM emergencies are for real), the week has been minus any drama or excitement. Instead its just been a pleasant escape.
Sunday night was dinner with Chris' cousins. He's in grad school while she's supporting them both working full-time. Monday night was dinner and a grown up "sleep over" with Dr. and Mrs. JT. Apart from the seriously bad service (like as in 28 minutes with an empty tea glass bad) at the restaurant, we had a wonderful time with very dear friends. I can't say enough about Mrs. JT. She's taught me how to be a friend. I love her.
The rest of the week was spent being a pinball in the pinball game of family get togethers. Its a balancing act. Both sides are very understanding and likely we feel more pressure to keep things relatively even than they ever would put on us. Yeah, we're a little Type A. Well, maybe more than a little. Anyway, the week of family was topped off with a trip with my mom to get her ears pierced. Yes, have no fear, I have pictures but I'll save those, and the rest of the story, for next week. Needless to say, it was fabulous.
In all that fabulousness, you'd think it'd be hard to narrow down a gratitude list. And you'd be right. So my feeling tonight is a little out of the ordinary considering the week. But its mine and since I'm the one doing the writing, you'll have to accept me with all my flaws.
This morning I drove to the gym to meet Mom for a morning run. It was blissful. Then I drove to their house and volunteered to drive us shopping. On the way to my in-laws from lunch, I plugged in my iPod, I selected my "favorites" folder, turned the volume up load enough so I couldn't hear myself singing and away I went. When I am driving around my hometown, I suddenly feel 16.
Free. Full of life. And fearless.
It's almost indescribable. I briefly considered driving from my parent's house to my in-laws on the other side of town by never getting on an interstate. You can get anywhere in Birmingham without getting on an interstate. And the roads are so winding and tree covered, I feel certain a Texan or Oklahoman might have a panic attack not being able to see what's coming around the corner.
I feel exhilarated.
That 20 minute drive was exactly what I needed. Everyone needs those moments of release. The moments when you feel the joy of just that one, single moment. I wasn't thinking about all of the other moments going on. I was just enjoying singing as loudly as possible, pounding my steering wheel along with the beat and driving through the roads I know better than anywhere else in the world.
I believe those moments are from the Lord. And I am, dear Lord, so grateful for my moment today. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
I had a great time today too! It seems a little odd you standing with me to get my ears pierced @ 55 when I stood with you at 13. I'm glad you could be there, it could have only been you for that big moment. You would have gotten your ears pierced years before, but I just could not see myself helping you take care of them when you were a small child. Now, I'm old and have to now take care of my own ears 3 times a day for 6 weeks!! What was I thinking? Diamonds. Love, Mom
ReplyDeleteWow, your mom's fast on the comments. Impressive! Right now, I think I'm thankful for Apples to Apples. I don't think I've ever seen all the cousins laughing so hard all at the same thing in a long time. Helen Keller and summer camp will forever remind me of tonight's game.
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