Every year when I get to this point when classes are done and school is almost finished and all the loose ends are almost tied up and we just finished having our son’s birthday party and the dishes are piled up and balloons are floating in the air suspended by dollar store ribbon and all my wife’s teacher gifts are all over the place and all I want to do is sigh and close my eyes as the mess overstimulates my senses but I know it’ll all get cleaned up soon…..
I sit here on the couch watching my son play Lego and talk about random things with his good buddy and I think…..
Wow.
Am I ever lucky.
The mess will wait for me tomorrow when I get home and as I clean up and wish there was no mess I’ll be incredibly grateful for the weeks ahead where I don’t have to work while others do,
while others fight for their lives,
while others try to figure things out,
while others worry about how they’ll make ends meet,
while others melt in the heatwave and I sit in my cool basement.
I’m thankful.
Though this was the hardest year of my career, so many gifts have come from this experience.
Time spent writing and meeting new wonderful people across this great country and around the world.
Time spent connecting with my family in new and innovative ways.
Time spent reading wonderful books that have inspired me.
Time spent watching things I might not have ever noticed.
Time spent exercising and getting fit and then everything going backwards.
And now…
The anticipation of times ahead, going on road trips again,
Visiting with family and friends.
And holding them closely, embraced…
In Long Overdue Hugs.
Yes.
I cannot wait.
With Gratitude,