I woke up this morning pretty wiped out from an amazing weekend trip. W and I woke up at 4am on Friday and arrived in sunny, cool Chicago at 9:30am thanks to the time change. Over the next few days, I’ll recap our 3 day whirlwind excursion by blogging so that I can reflect on those moments months and years from now. The beauty of blogging..a diary with photos. 🙂
Since our children have “flown the coop”, we have inherited time. Time that was routinely and joyously spent on bleachers and carpooling and sleepovers has been graciously returned to us in exchange for the priceless memories of bleachers, carpooling and sleepovers. We have recouped time and we have been blessed beyond measure to be able to work weekends like this into our lives. There is nothing quite like getting on a plane or in a car and finding yourself somewhere you’ve never been; knowing no one there; equipped with a map of the city and let loose for 3 days to absorb as much as you can. As much as time permits.
I had to look up a quote this morning ~ one I knew Henry Miller was credited with but I couldn’t quite remember the exact words. Fortunately, quick research located it and I remember the professor in English Comp spending a whole class on this one quote. It is, I think, the only thing I remember from those 3 credit hours but it did make an impression on me.
The aim of life is to live, and to live means to be aware, joyously, drunkenly, serenely, divinely aware.
Having spent precious time in a state of non-awareness at times, I am so keenly present, alert and appreciative of life today. Even without the weekend getaways to impressive destinations, I feel like I’m living my life in complete awareness. I am so blessed to have reached this feeling that eluded me somewhere between the military moves, proms and graduations. Humbled doesn’t even begin to explain it. Blessed in numerous; countless ways.
God receives all of the glory ~ believe me, He took brokenness and somehow made it whole.
So I am off to a busy work day and leadership training tonight; adrenaline and caffeine will be my best friends and I’ll fall into bed tonight exhausted once again…but joyously, drunkenly, serenely, divinely aware.
**Addendum** After blogging this morning, I went to pick the dogs up from the kennel to then go to work. Think God has a sense of humor? I locked my dogs in the car (with air conditioning and motor running) while I was grabbing their toys and blanket from the kennel owner. Aware? Maybe not so much…. LOL