Sunday, September 21, 2008

The end of the weekend

Wrapping it up. I didn't get enough done, didn't get my naps in, spent too much time working in the kitchen, doing laundry, moving entropy and fixing computers. I didn't do any reading. I have come to the sad conclusion that in fact, I CANNOT do it all and must come to terms with the limitations. Sigh.

We did have some highlights. I had the chance to share meals with Abi and Dorothy on Friday, our friend Deb on Saturday and with our Grand Rapids parents, Bud and Barbara.

The Handsome One spent his days playing, napping and hunting. On Saturday, he added chipmunk to his kill list. We should have named him Hunter.

Once in a while, I take a moment and enjoy the present. The dog digging, running, hunting. The quiet of the room with peaceful music. Just hanging. I never enjoy driving in traffic, waiting in line or being. Once in a while, I don't need a gentle reminder; rather I need someone to grab my shoulders and shake me violently. This article did it for me today, this amazing speech
by David Foster Wallace, his Kenyon commencement address (2005). Please read it. Find a quiet place, with no interruptions and read it. At least twice. And know that he died last week of apparent suicide. Sigh.

And tomorrow, we are back at it.

1 comment:

Lisa said...

I'm saving the link to the commencement address - to read during The Tot's nap.

As for reminders to look around you and appreciate the here and now, I have to do that every single day...not being a fan of the desert in any way, shape or form. I have started to remind myself, sometimes out loud, to watch a hummingbird taking nectar from a flower, or to look at the mountains and find one beautiful thing about them, or run my hand across the leaves of my basil plant and inhale.

It's very easy for me to get caught up in the aspects of life I find frustrating and annoying; forgeting the good and being sucked into a whirlpool of negativity.

Thank you for the good shaking. We all need it occasionally.

L.