Tuesday, January 09, 2018

Snapshots of a Life: Week One-ish 2018

Last Thursday's chore was a general organization and clean up of my attic. This led to the rediscovery of a large storage box full of keepsakes from my life. When my Grandmama passed away last year I received a box of mementos she had kept for me--from my birth announcement to my children's. There were few photos, but she too was a word girl and had all the documents of the key moments. I promised myself the treat of exploring that box once the less exciting work was complete.

Friday, a last minute cancellation of plans created space for me to sort through the box, which included not only my Grandmama's contributions but my own keepsakes as well. It was a bizarre, roller coaster walk through 43 years of a life to flip from random college party pictures to wedding shower invitations and high school snapshots. I found my first resume and tons of memorabilia from my stint working for the 1996 Olympic Open & Closing Ceremonies. There were also letters Ryland & I had exchanged and journals from the transformative years of my post-college early twenties. I also found two time capsules--one from 1994 and one from 1/1/2000 where I had written letters to my future self. (I confess I chose not to read those just yet.) 

As I read through the journals, I remembered that pre-blogging I used a calendar to jot down key events and lessons from most days. They were not well-formed thoughts so much as scrapbooks of words--pieces of the day and my corresponding feelings. There seemed to be freedom from pressure to draw any conclusions. Perhaps it was the freshness of my journalism education--report the facts without the need to teach a lesson. 

I wondered what it would be like to return to that method of recording the world. In a social media age laden with people's (mostly dire) conclusions, what if I went back to more observation than conclusion? I think this is why I transitioned from blogging to Instagramming. 

So, nine days into this New Year, I decided to try something new here, which is actually revisiting the old--a brief reflection on each day and something I learned, appreciated, observed or simply want to remember. 

January 1
Watched the most gorgeous sunrise that turned the inside of my house a warm orangey-pink. A bitter cold day where the kids and I stayed in pajamas until almost 3pm. Big football evening--UGA's historic overtime win versus Oklahoma and watching my son, Ryland's sheer joy as a lifelong UGA fan. Alabama beat Clemson in the Sugar Bowl later that night, but we were honestly exhausted by that time. 

January 2
A trip to Chattanooga for a doctor's appointment for one of my trio. Good news. 

January 3
A trip to Atlanta for another specialist for one of my trio--who decided to take a very interesting approach regarding a health issue facing one of my people. Dr, C. challenged this child to step up as a young adult and take more charge of their own health choices. Honestly, not what I was expecting, but remarkably effective at this point (a week in) and inspired me as a parent to consider this approach more often. Our relationship is already much better. We will return in a week to see if the health issue is positively impacted as well.

January 4
Met for coffee with a woman I've been mentoring for two years as we tie up a few final loose ends in preparation for the return of her two children from DFACS custody. She spoke about how the practice of Gratitude has changed her life. She's a single working Mama with a life history most reading this cannot fathom, a recovering addict whose children are in foster care and she is overflowing with thanksgiving for the gifts of her life.  One day, with her permission I hope to write a lot more about this...

January 5 
The day spent exploring my life box in the attic (mentioned above). A was reminded that handwritten notes are a gift that keeps giving--and that photos really should be printed occasionally. Also, that as we document our kids lives we ought not to forget to record what God is doing to keep growing us up as well--hence this post. Also, enjoyed a two hour 'family business meeting' with my husband that reminded me why I love being his partner--may or may not have included going over spreadsheets in a bar across the street from the youth group event my kids were attending ;-)

January 6
Wrestling tournament out of town with my sons. Sitting on the sidelines waiting between matches I had time to read a book about Haiti (On that Day Everybody Ate)
in preparation for a women's trip later this month. My heart already aches for the level of poverty I will see there--and how God wants to use that exposure in my life.

January 7
Church and then very low key day with kids and husband scattered at various activities. I was able to spend some sweet one-on-one time with Parker as he created an escape room in his bedroom. What fun to search for locks and supplies with him and remember that he is his very best self when he is creative.

January 8
Unexpected day off from school with kids because of the threat of ice. The CFP National Championship game in a fiercely divided house. I hated watching young Ryland's heartbreak but great opportunities for conversations about sportsmanship. 

There is nothing fancy about these hastily typed paragraphs, but I think I will treasure these snapshots of our real life one day. 

"How we spend our days is of course how we spend our lives. What we do with this hour and that one is what we are doing."-Annie Dillard

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