I woke up this morning to six inches of snow.
Boots and coat on, I coaxed our dog outside while I shoveled the front walk.
Then back inside for coffee.
And breakfast.
Then outside again for more shoveling.
The driveway this time.
Taking a break
I reread the last chapter of the book I finished late last night.
Allowing the ending to sink in…
Again.
This afternoon I went to the state park to let our dog run.
And so I could walk.
Deep breaths of cold January air.
And pausing long enough to pay attention
To the beauty of the snow on the mountains and trees.
Then back home for dinner.
And a phone call.
And sitting for a few moments with our dog in my lap.
Is it enough to do what unfolds each day?
It is, I know.
But sometimes it is hard.
I am so used to being busy.
I am beginning to realize
What I need to do
Is to stop worrying about if what I am doing is enough
And, instead to pay attention to what is.
To say Thank you.
And to notice the grace wrapped up in each moment.
Anne Bentzen says
January 9, 2019 at 10:53 pmI walked into my Special Ed director’s office today and told her I am retiring in June. No regrets. It feels good knowing that I will have the freedom and time one day to have a dog to take to the park for a walk and travel whenever I want regardless of what month it is. I will miss my colleagues. But new adventures await and more living to do without the constraints of a school calendar. Few know. You are one of the first. Enjoy the snow!
Peter Williams says
January 10, 2019 at 10:21 pmWonderful reflection. Our family spent the holidays at home, not skiing or traveling or doing anything in particular. I had been concerned we would be bored. But the snow didn’t come this December, only rain, so we couldn’t ski. What I found was that instead of being bored, we enjoyed each other. We slept in, played monopoly, saw Mary Poppins Returns, cooked delicious meals, and had by far the most relaxing vacation ever. We were paying attention to what is. And thankful for each other.