Hello!  It has been a while since I reached out to you and I could bore you with all the details, but let us just say I have not been enjoying myself at the spa.   My life has been a wild adventure in the last couple of months and so much of it is uncharted territory.

So, what does all this have to do with heart shaped meatballs?  That’s a fair question.  Let me explain.  I have learned, (Lord knows it is a lesson that seems to be running theme in my life), that life is short.  I realize this is not news to many, indeed, I thought I really understood that, but I am learning that there is more.  Life is short no matter how long you live.  No one knows how long it will last, but there is one thing you can surely count on; no matter how long we live, it will be over too soon.

Okay, so now what?  What will we do with that information?  Will we do anything with it?  After all, it’s a little disquieting to say the least.  Maybe the best we can do is put it aside and try not to think about it.  Maybe that’s best.  Maybe not.

The problem with ignoring it is that we put ourselves on the sidelines.  Ignoring means waiting.  Putting off the joy and fun that we might enjoy until later.  When is later, by the way?  What is this magical realm called someday?  Someday, I will travel.  Someday, I will have the time to make a fort with the kids in the living room.  Someday, I will have more time to giggle and be silly and be in the crazy moments fully.  Someday, I will let down my guard and slurp up spaghetti and not care about the mess. 

Here’s the thing; I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but we have been sold a bill of goods.  If we wait for the right time, we will miss it.  Someday is an illusion.  Today, is what is real.  We don’t have to earn joy; it is a gift.  A beautiful present that many of us forget to open.  We put it aside until the laundry is done, or the homework, (ours and theirs), is finally finished.  The trouble is we are usually too tired by then and someday moves a little further away.

The kids grow, time passes and the fort remains unmade.  So, here’s what it all comes down to; heart shaped meatballs.  We have to eat.  Protein would be a good idea to feed the little ones, right?  Let’s claim some fun.  Make the spaghetti and serve it with the silliest meatballs your kids have ever seen.  (All you have to do is pinch the top and pull the bottom and presto, you have a heart.)  Then insist on slurping!  The scandalized and surprised looks on you family’s faces will be worth the clean up.

The Native Americans have a beautiful saying.  “Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass, it is about learning to dance in the rain.”  Well, I don’t know about you, but there is plenty of rain around for most of us.  Let’s start dancing!

 

Even in the rain, keep your face to sun!

 

Marilynn

Categories: General

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