What Lies Over the Hill?

Today is one of those “turning point” days for me. 

I finished up substituting for the year and head to Paris tomorrow (for two weeks) with my own Master’s program. 

The Paris trip is a big marker for me.  It’s an opportunity to stretch my middle aged wings, test my personal strength,  and discover new things about myself.    And of course I will look for Molly; I expect that I will sense her presence in and around a good deal of this experience.  She KNOWS that  this trip is a tad bit out of character for her mother. 

And then what?   I have not had a summer off in at least 30 years.  My guess is that I will enjoy the leisurely pace for about 4 days.  And then, by the 4th of July , I will likely be doggone sick of myself.  

We’ll see.   I cannot imagine beyond these next two weeks in Paris.    The trip is one of those hills that is just too big to see over until you get to the top.

I look forward to sharing the view when I get back!

Dad and I spent Molly's last gift card last weekend.   I don't know if Dad saw me cry.  But Molly was so present, and the day was so right.   The tears were streaming. God knows what the barrista was thinking...

I was at my parents' home last weekend, for a hometown festival.   Years ago, my Dad established himslef by winning his division in the festival 10K. so I do not honor the family name by stumbling along in the middle of my age group n the 5K.  But I try.  This year, Dad moved into camera-and-chair mode, so he took pictures, and I ran.

And then we went to Caribou Coffee to spend Molly's gift card. It was a VERY intentional trip on my part.  Dad had never had a smoothie - or so he says.  So it was fun to introduce him to the tastiness of frozen fruit and yogurt sipped through a straw. 

Remember that West Nile Virus almost killed my father last fall.   It was touch and go for weeks.  So there is something miraculous about how well he is doing.  And I was feeling good too after the race - much better than I looked, by the way! 

The whole morning was captured, for me, by a board that you could write on whle you waited for your drink order...  WHAT ARE YOU MOST THANKFUL FOR? the board queried.      Folks wrote the typical things...... they were thankful for their mates..   their children....  their faith.

I was thankful for "Today".   Molly was there.  Dad was there.  I was there.  It was enough.