Christmas parties are already being planned.
Lifeguard class schedules are already scheduled.
Interviews for the 2011 summer season are about to begin.
Matt and I will celebrate our 1 year anniversary in less than 3 months.
And so, I check my progress. I have done a considerable amount if I do say so myself. Considering I started this smack dab in the middle of my busiest season, I think having completed 14% and another 6% continually in progress (without updating) is pretty good for exactly 4 months of this task.
I sit here, with the power out
and I am at peace. The only noise is the rain drip, drip, dripping outside. Complete stillness. Light flickering from the candles and the animals curled up in their beds next to me (also wondering when the power will return).
It's a moment, I feel, brought to me...by God.
My husband and I are in love.
My family loves me and only want good things for my life.
My friends are there when I need them and to sift through the daily troubles we call life.
My support systems around me only help me strive for the very best.
What more can I ask for? Really....
I have been lucky enough to take so many trips this year. And to remain safe.
Ohio in mid-January where I met Matt's father, his wife, and the family he so dearly misses every day.
The Forgotten Coast of Florida at the end of January for our wedding, the perfect wedding for us.
Spicewood, Texas in March for zip-lining, leadership training, and life lessons...where the door was opened for so many good things to come in work and in life.
New Braunfels, Texas in September for good company and good fun...old school style.
Back to Florida to close out September, immediately following the old school fun to visit, laugh, lounge, and chat with my all-time bestie and her husband in a glorious beach house.
The Forgotten Coast, the exact spot where we were married, in October with Matt's parents and sister, for the first ever Ferguson/Heimbaugh family trip, and the first trip back to where we became one.
(header photos compliments of KimStonePhotography)
If you can't tell already...I'm nostalgic. Looking back on the year, the places we've been, the ways we've grown...and yet, there is still so much to see and do. I consider it a blessing to have started this post with power and to end it without power. I'll probably have to send this post through the internet waves come morning time, when I'll sit and read it all over again. But now...in the dark with the candles flickering, I cannot wait to accomplish #36: Live by candlelight for 24 hours.
This Thanksgiving season I am going to take the time to appreciate what really matters. Not the material gifts I want for Christmas, not the new clothes I buy, not how many decorations I have in my house...but the love of my husband, the time with my family, and the future of what is yet to come.
Bless you and yours this holiday season. Make it a good one.
When I have power, I'll need to update 26, 68, and all the ones I do each month.
I helped with number 26 :) and I can help with 66 too! We should make a trip to Bernhardt Winery off 105 sometime soon. They have some good wine!
ReplyDeleteAnd by the way... I think nostalgia is a good thing!
I loved this post in fact, I had to keep coming back and read it a few times. I have been having one of those ultra busy nothing is going my way weeks and your post is so calming and peaceful. Thank you for the boost :)
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