I woke this morning looking at my stuff strewn all over this hotel room that I have stopped in for merely a few hours of rest. Today I travel but not all the way back home. I’m beginning the first of my five planned celebrations for my 50th – and kicking off the celebrations with a spiritual trip to Santa Fe. Now when you plan a spiritual trip it is almost certain you might not have one but this is different because I am not going expecting an epiphany – I am seeking rest for my weary mind.
In the day to day life of taking care of the zoo, trying to stay nimble in my work, coping with an aging mother, making time for friends, I’m losing touch with nourishing myself – the self that has a spirit, a body, a mind, not to mention memory and desire.
So this trip is not going to be to focus on the spirit but rather to not focus on anything except the moment’s enjoyment. Traveling away from routine, from home, from loved ones is a sure fire way to appreciate all the wonderful things that are taken for granted as life’s busy-ness distracts me from the here and now. And also reminds me of how awesome life is – particularly the life I am living.
We all know how fickle life is – I spoke with my friend who lost her child last year, she’s not getting okay with it as she told me. I said it takes time. “Time heals what reason cannot.” Also, the sudden and surprising death of Natasha Richardson impacted our psyche. 150 dead in Italy’s earthquake and villages reduced to rubble. A madman in NY kills randomly. A child turns up in a suitcase in a pond.
The horror.
Two states in the headlines this week allowing same sex marriage. An appointment was made with a new adoption attorney on Ele’s birthday, closure and moving on. Obama addresses European nations and doesn’t embarrass our country, makes us proud as Americans and as individuals. The sun came up over the Los Angeles hills. I am beginning my 50th year around the sun.
Hope.