I planned a trip and actually went away for a week's time. I spent it with my sister and my brother-in-law. I will never forget this time as it was a life changing experience!
I had never been away for a week without my kids and husband before so the thought was both exhilerating and anxiety provoking. Exhilerating, the thought of being at their house for a whole week, and anxiety inducing because how on earth was my family going to get along without me for that long! I went away to support my sister through a hard time and came back home, a new Woman.!
What did I do there that made all the difference?
It was both an adventure and the way I was treated. It was the timing of a hard year for all us and the promise of a new Day...A Day of Hope was dawning in our history... I watched the Inaugeration and tears of relief filled my eyes. The last two years for me, personally, have been about reconciliation and renewal...with both sides of my family.
Would there be reconciliation and renewal in the White House too?
I will never forget the conversations I had. I was used to the routine of my daily life and it is hard to say, but my world had become very small. I had become very fearful about my life and didn't know from day to day how I was going to get through this pandemic. My thoughts became consumed with worry whenever I left the house. I was used to "being there" for my family and my extended family too, but an opportunity arose in which I would get to spend a week with my closest sister and brother-in-law and I seized it with both hands. I prayed about it asking for God's guidance, then I got the phone call from my sister saying that my brother-in-law would be willing to come get me! My anxiety acquiesced and I gave it up to the sheer excitement of it all! A week away... 1 week away!
I was treated like nobility. I went away to be of help to them and in doing so I was the one who was treated by the gifts of their presence. We drew close. We laughed, we cried, we sang, and I did things I never would have done with anybody else. I taboganed down their hill laughing all the way...I came out of my shell and learned how to treat myself with care in the process of loving them so utterly and completely. Leo Buscaglia explains it best in his book, On Love. Love is like a mirror. When you love someone with all of your heart and soul and they love you back unconditonally, your love is infinite and the possibilites of giving and receiving love are endless....
I am one who loves endlessly and I will never forget how my love was received and mirrored back to me so elequently and expertly. I will not forget the close conversations, the fine dining without salt, the bubble baths with lavender soap, feeding the chickens, and loving their animals that make up their family.
Most of all I will not forget how Beautiful I felt every single day. These are all things I have taken away with me back home.
In coming home I was taught a valuable lesson too. The world spins and even thrives without my constant turning....hahaha.... My husband impressed me with all that he was able to take on so I could go away and even enjoy my time. The time away has only brought us closer as a family and we all have new insights and stories to share.
I am able to take on new challenges now and my world is no longer shrinking in fear.
Everyday is a new day and a gift to be cherished. I can truly say that even with the uncertainty of the times, I Love My Life!
I am infusing all that I learned in my daily life at home. I am seeing with new eyes and giving and receiving gifts of my time and attention and seem to have even more love to lavish on those closest to me. I know how to direct my energy and thank God everyday for sending me to the Catskills to be with my sister and friend.
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