Something uniquely wonderful occurred to me throughout the past 12 days over Christmas and New Years.
The holidays and days lined up to create a larger pause than I could recall. And this is what I accomplished.
In the past twelve days I:
Had two trips to West Virginia.
Said goodbye to my grandmother.
Was a pallbearer.
Wrote a poem and read it at her funeral.
Saw my entire immediate family – first cousins, brothers, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, mom and distant cousins I haven’t seen since I was a kid.
Had my daughter and granddaughter from Iowa stay with us for five of the days. Bonus.
Dug out the old Imaginex castles and guys and let her transform my back room into a play land.
Cooked and had dinners.
Had friends over.
Played games.
Took 2 naps on different days by the wood burning fire.
Cleaned and organized.
Exercised.
Had a road trip with my daughter and talked for four solid hours about anything and everything.
Bought more fish for my son and girlfriends’ tank.
I hung up my grandma’s oil painting from 1982 and felt so inspired as she always encouraged me.
Painted a new Sasquatch painting.
Had life talks with my brothers. Still texting and talking more than ever since we saw each other. It’s refreshing.
Made plans to be with our family more.
Wrote two stories for my documented thoughts here online.
Received my commissioned painting for our doggies.
Didn’t see the ball drop at midnight.
Had someone in Washington order my magnets and someone in Colorado order a bath bomb surprise.
Learned many interests I didn’t know about my growing nieces and nephews and younger family cousins.
Subscribed to their Youtube channels.
I watched Dune 1 and 2. Who knew. My son really likes them.
Watched a binge Peacock series my daughter thought I’d enjoy. She was right. While I painted of course.
Drank and consumed much less than ever before. Lost a couple pounds.
Washed all the bedding and laundry in the house.
Went to a friend fam’s sons’ 21st birthday party.
Commented on Artists’ TikToks and got replies and convos. Learned about opacity and wet palettes.
Signed up for a Acrylic class at the end of the month.
Had coffee and music every morning with my husband. Talked about our day and reflections of this time.
Dreamt more than I remember. Wild stuff too.
Turns out I pee myself in my dreams too.
Slept in at least four times past 8 am.
Felt more harmony than I am used to.
Prayed and took in every present moment I could.
In my twelve days consecutively, I didn’t have to be at my contracted employment position.
The guilt in my head talk was real.
I checked in from time to time.
I tried to recall the last time I had that many days in a row, with very little activity – and I recall it was 2009. I had surgery.
That year was so rough with toddlers, high demand executive job at a hectic start up agency and no empathy for my health recovery. I quit after and took such a risk but I had three precious months at home with my kids then. Money was scary but I got to volunteer for the whole vacation bible school, taught their Sunday school and was a mom. It was so cool.
So yeah. What a powerful break I just experienced. 12 days of exploration.
It’s not dogging or disregarding paid employment – I am grateful for it.
It’s just interesting to see what happens when extended time allows you to figure out who you are, or were or want to be.
My frequency changed a bit for the better.
I just told my husband it’s like I lived a little more than I usually do.
I have been a better mom, wife, daughter, niece, granddaughter, friend, grandma,
Now I need to figure out how to live this presently and carry my responsibilities.
I’ll get there. We all will. I think the key is being in the present.
Thanks for reading,
Heather
PS I hope you find you too. You’re in there I promise!
