Keep on moving

you have no choice, really

5 Parts: The steps we take; The Groc Out dilemma; It’s not always fun to be right; We don’t always know what’s coming; Not a never-ending GIF, but…

Part 1 - The steps we take

We are constantly stepping forward. Sometimes we need to think a little more about the direction we’re stepping.

Work, priorities, life. They can all be confusing and sometimes we can lose track of what is actually most important to us. One thing I find impressive is when, in a land of chaos, people can keep their priorities straight and weed through all the chaff to do what they need to do at the right time. I find I’m frequently delayed. I will fixate on what is comfortable and put off other things that really need to be done. It could be a visit to the doctor, visiting a friend or even just reaching out to a friend to reconnect. Within my job I will focus on the things I can do easily and avoid those things that need to be done but are more of a struggle. It takes a conscious effort and a clear mind in regards to priorities and what’s important to straighten that out. Sometimes the people in my life have been ignored due to my tendencies. In the past year I’ve found a friend that manages to keep her family and friends high in her list despite an absolutely chaotic, intense life schedule. I figure I’m at least 7th on her priority list and yet somehow I know I’m there and she’s gotten me through some tough times this past year. She has made me more aware of my own priorities and my need to consciously set them. It’s good to have people in our lives that push us to be better. They don’t even have to know that’s what they’re doing.

Part 2 - The Groce Out dilemma

On the way home from a food drop yesterday I stopped at Groce Out (Grocery Outlet) to get some produce, bread, etc… I was very successful. Peppers, apples, salmon, good quality all purpose flour. Oh yes, doing well. And then I hit the snack aisle. Crap. A box of gummy fruity things…. CHEAP!  I can’t resist.

And yes they are tasty. Too tasty. 

A box of Mallomars. CHEAP! I can’t resist. I was never even aware of Mallomars before but it turns out they’re pretty good in an odd kind of way. I wasn’t sure after the first bite but then this marvelous flavor lingered in my mouth.  They won’t last long. I think I need to avoid the snack aisle.

Part 3 - It’s not always fun to be right.

The nature of things is that life is not an animated GIF that goes on forever. There is a path we’re on and at some point, that path ends.

A while ago I wrote in The Blue Zone about a parent at our school that is battling cancer. She took a tumble walking back to her car and I helped her out. When I held her hand to help her get up it reminded me of Katie’s hands in her final days. I worried that maybe the last days were coming for this woman too. 

A week or so ago we got word that they were considering her cancer to be terminal and that there would be no more treatments.

The priests from the parish are visiting her in the hospital daily. She’s on hospice. Her young son is there with her and we are so very worried for him. A sweet boy. Such a rough path. If you are the praying type, send one their way. At this point an easy passing that allows those that surround her to do what they need to do. Give them peace. Serenity. A hand to hold that provides comfort.

The community of love that emerges in times like these is warming.

Part 4 - We don’t always know what’s coming

Sometimes life does smack you upside the head. That is for sure. Shocked to hear the other day that my cousin’s younger son had died. He was probably in his mid thirties, maybe early forties. He’d had a rough road in life. My heart had ached for him. Trials and challenges that you hear about and sometimes maybe think it’s outside of your own life, own existence. That’s what other people go through. Not me. I’m not here to air his laundry and it’s not my story to tell but I am glad I got to see him last summer at our family reunion. It had been too long. My cousin and her family could use a prayer too, if you’ve got one to spare. 

Part 5 - Not a never-ending GIF, but

There are cycles in life, for sure. Last year about this time a friend gave me some plants in a gift planter. I separated out the plants. The spider plant is taking over my plant table. The orchid bloomed robustly for several months and then… well I’m not sure. I don’t know if I underwatered, overwatered or what but it wasn’t looking good.  A couple of weeks ago I noticed a bud spike.  Yesterday the first bloom came out.  So cool. 

Sunrise. Different every day. There is no way to really know what each day will bring and that’s part of what makes it worth living. This photo was taken the same morning as my foot shots in the GIF. 

I hope the day you are having is a good one and that you can appreciate the things you have. Maybe it is time to take a step back and consider the path.