NC trip Day 1...10-19-2018

Here I am at last for a long overdue visit.! I opted to fly as opposed to driving despite the disadvantages of not being able to transport containers of things earmarked for “the kids,” the limitation of packing space, and most importantly, being without a vehicle. Less travel time and reasonable airfare were enticing enough to choose flying over driving. Maybe I’ll start to enjoy having chauffeurs. We’ll call it “Driving Gramma Dorothy.” 😉 If necessary, I can always get a rental car. Anyway...it’s so good to be here!

J.D. drove me to the airport under not the best circumstances. Traffic was bumper to bumper, the bright sun glared on my car’s dirty windshield at eye level the whole way, and traffic worsened due to what appeared to be a serious accident involving several cars. Once there, the timing worked out perfectly. I was able to board my plane almost immediately. I had printed my own boarding pass and packed sparingly so I only needed my carry on.  My good deed for the day was to happily exchange seats with a man who wished to sit with his family. I mention this only because, from their reaction, I gather the attendants are more accustomed to “flack.” (What a shame. Love one another, people!)

I nearly missed my connecting flight despite the 1.5 hour layover. I sat at the assigned gate waiting for the board to change from Charleston to Fayetteville. As boarding time grew close, I inquired and was told my gate had been changed...to one way at the end of the corridor then way to the end of the corridor on the left. With luggage in tow and limping on a very painful heel, I made it! Whew! We were probably informed as we landed but I honestly could not hear any of the announcements. Although I have substantial hearing loss I don’t consider that to be the only reason to have missed the message. For one thing, they rattle off that stuff faster than a normal person can think and secondly, in any work related public interaction, please, please make enunciation more of a priority! What I am learning is to double check, ask lots of questions, and to be extra observant. When I miss something that seems to be important, I’m not hesitant to say, “I have hearing loss!” Most people become very articulate then...which (I believe) they should have been in the first place.

Both flights were smooth as silk. Thank you, Lord. Peaceful silent prayer and meditation time. Before I knew it, we had landed and there was Jenn waiting to chauffeur me away. After a restful night’s sleep I am having a lazy day to ponder. To ponder what, I wonder? The joy of life when there is love in it, I guess.

A week observed. . .

This has to be one of the best weeks I have had in a long time, thanks to Mike and Cindy for entrusting me with their offspring while the two of them indulge in a well deserved getaway. I am thoroughly enjoying the pace of teenagers and their schedules! The early morning bus time, packing lunches, having an excuse to be silly, and chauffeuring back and forth.

This is not the first time I have supervised grandkids, by any means, however these particular days of my journey have taught me some things about myself. As I observe today's young parents, I often comment in wonder at their ability to juggle so many schedules. Comparing that to my current "retirement" status, I have assumed my stamina for all that had long since waned. How pleasantly surprised I am to be experiencing a keener mindset and a greatly heightened energy level!

I am thankful to have had the presence of mind to cherish the years with youngsters of my own although I will admit to moments of frustration and brief longings for a time of a less hectic existence. The lesson here, as I see it, emphasizes a nudging from God that encourages us not to dwell on 'yesterday' or worry about 'tomorrow' but to be thankful for 'today' while we are living it.

Yes, this has been an invigorating yet pensive week filled with many blessings, a time I will cherish always.

..........................but I bet I'll sleep good next week!  😉

Consolation. . .

I am really missing my visiting family who are now back home in NC after a day's drive. My quiet house is full of little telltale reminders of their presence -- beds that have been slept in, objects where they placed them, lingering scents, and empty Cheese-it boxes under Daniel's bed. It was quite an enjoyable, laid-back visit but as always, over much too soon. To console myself, I did what any normal person would do: I bought new pajamas!

Some things don't change. . .

Perfect weather for working outside and here I am, stuck inside taking care of "business." My own fault for being such a procrastinator when it comes to opening mail. I don't know why I avoid it so. I think it might be because most of my household matters and my personal communication are processed electronically these days, making the handling of "paper work" seem tediously slow and inefficient. It makes me 'twitchy.' I don't even check my mailbox everyday but I do try to empty it often enough so the mail carrier doesn't have to struggle to cram more in. The bulk of it goes immediately in the trash while the important 'stuff' is carefully placed in one of the three slots in the wooden letter holder on the wall. I always start out by prioritizing 1, 2, or 3...but that doesn't last long. I can't be bothered. It makes me 'twitchy.' 

After while, some uneasiness begins to set in as I glance at the bulging letter holder each time I pass by. Then for a time I simply try to avoid looking at it all together. Finally, there comes a day (like today) when the stress level of "putting off until 'tomorrow' what should be done 'today'" offsets the mock satisfaction brought on by avoidance. Anxiety begins to hover and close in around me, compelling me to pick up my little (Civil War sword replica) letter opener and tackle the task at hand.

The stack of unopened mail in the photo below is the "important stuff" that has accumulated over the past month...or two...three? Maybe longer. Who knows what I will find in there? It's hard to say. Although I can say that the suspense is making me very 'twitchy.'

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How am I dealing with this? Why, I am sitting here writing about it while the envelopes remain stacked, unopened, on my desk. Will I finally get down to business? Only time will tell. Am I going to vow, as I have so often in the past, to never let this happen again? No way! Not happening. I have come to accept that this is who I am and no doubt, the process will continue to repeat itself.

You know......accept the things you can't change......and all that. Besides, trying to change makes me 'twitchy.'