enroute365

The value of uncertainty

Uncertainty paid me a recent call. A wake-up call.

Over the last eight years, I’ve taken family weekends for granted. During this time my sisters and I have lived within a two-hour drive of each other, yet we’ve typically only found the time to make that drive four times a year. Or less.

But change is on the horizon. Now it appears that one family may have to relocate to a different job market. Another family awaits word of how a down-sizing will affect them.

This isn’t fair or unfair. This is life, I remind myself. Life isn’t predictable and those along for its journey cannot expect to remain complacent for too long. Which is exactly what I had allowed myself to become -- too comfortable – and what I pulled back from during a recent family get-together.

The family surrounding me, I tried to stretch each moment of the weekend as if I could keep it always before me in an elastic eternity. The words of my sisters hung in the air as I listened, not only to their shared stories and concerns, but also the tone and timbre of their voices. Even their arguments. In my nieces’ eyes, I relished the sparks of creativity and laughter … and I see these glints still. I cherished every embrace, however fleeting, and marveled at the caring conveyed by a touch.

For once, I was even content to play the observer as my brothers-in-law traded good-natured jabs. My witty repartee could wait.

I would love to see a bright sun mysteriously burst through the clouds that shroud the family's future and shine the light on answers that would keep my siblings and their families nearby. And that is what I'll pray for. Whether or not this happens, however, I am grateful for even the uncertainty of life which has caught me off-balance … the uncertainty that has made all I value precious again.

Where are we headed?

"Route 365 (the road inherent in this blog's name, Enroute 365) is a metaphorical highway. It represents the human journey through life, one we travel 365 days a year.  In each day we have the opportunity to learn (and share) about ourselves, our world and each other.  I invite you to spend some time from your days to travel with me."

The eagle has landed

"Honey, I'm home," my husband called out before heading to the kitchen for a snack. Without looking up from the computer, I hollered a short welcome, but under my breath I was grumbling. Don't get me wrong; I love my spouse. But while I was happy that Frank was home, I'd soon be expected to wrap-up my work, even though I was in the middle of something.

Okay ... I'm always in the middle of something. Always busy with one project or another. But Frank's patience has been wearing thin. He's putting in long days at work and at school and tired of waiting until eight or later for supper. I figured I had a good half hour before impatience would set in, so I stepped up the pace of my efforts ... only to stop dead in my tracks as I heard my husband screech just moments later.

I was out of my chair before I could make out what Frank was saying, "An eagle has landed in the cottonwood!"

"These moments are life. Everything else is just maintenance."

Too far gone

It's 9:00 am and my stomach has sent a reminder, “you haven't eaten breakfast.” This is not the first time I've missed a meal. I'm often so lost in activities that I lose track of everything else.

I think back to a conversation I had yesterday. A friend hasn't been taking care of herself. She's been so wrapped up in work she's forgetting to eat. Her husband isn't pleased. Ditto for another peer, a publisher/consultant.

We're all creative types. Each with our fingers in far too many pies. And each packing a few extra pounds. I find the latter surprising for women who regularly skip meals. Yet I don't think it is an coincidence that when our conscious focus becomes far removed from our bodies, we end up with physical issues like weight gain. If we no longer can feel hunger pangs, we probably won't respond to the body's signals for satiety either. And if my mind is wandering elsewhere as I consume a meal (a safe assumption), I'm probably going to overcompensate later.

This morning I've answered the call of my stomach with a slice of banana bread. Well, chocolate banana bread. It's not the healthiest choice I could make, but it's already prepared, making it quick and easy. You see, I'm anxious to get on with the day. Eager to post this entry on my blog and begin trouble-shooting some technology issues. My mind's already there. It must be ... because I just finished breakfast and can't remember tasting it. Hmm. Better have another slice.

Today life begins

Jesse graduates from high school today and his life begins. He is up to the challenge. In that I have no doubt.

He has been here before. When my nephew was five, he announced that he would some day live in Texas. He, then, turned to his father to ask, “Dad, is Texas too far for you and Mom to visit me?” Jesse quickly learned that no destination was too far. And in the space of two minutes, I watched his world and his confidence grow.

"Jesse began a new life, redefining himself in terms of his capabilities."

We remember moments

Life in the present