Have you ever planned that certain things would happen at certain times and then all of a sudden, everything you thought was going to happen, or should have happened gets thrown out the window? What whirlwind of a week it has been. You know the ones. I know that you have had them too. We all have. Life of the day to day mundane reoccurrences emerging as before.
Thankful to say, a week full of grateful surprises headed my way. What started out as the “norm”, was supposed to be a regular week of sitting behind the desk teaching students from across the nation, not just one, but hundreds as usual. Then, the itch hit. Let’s change things up. No more customary Monday this week! And so it was. And that was how the week began, with an itch to spice things up a bit.
It didn’t take much. A phone call to mom to see if she wanted to go along, to get her out of the house. “Sure, why not. Nothing holding me back. I can do what I want. Let’s do it”. And so we did. We piled into the jeep and took it for a spin. A three hour drive with lively chatter and memories made. The evening bitterly cold, with newly fallen snow glistening on the sides of the road. The time seemed to fly by just as the miles we drove. Our destination just ahead, unbeknownst to those who didn’t even know the surprise was for them.
We checked into the motel and had a good night’s rest, grateful for the comfort of our accommodations we had. Instead of teaching remotely today, we met two of my online classes personally in the south central part of the state. Trying to keep it a surprise, it didn’t last long. I was surrounded by students. Once just specks on a computer screen, now fully embodied and tickled pink we all were face-to-face.
The week continued with additional surprises. Not good. Not bad. But, grateful surprises. Mid-week on the horizon, the world turns as it should. Adventures around every corner lead to a mysterious pick-up. Another drive. Another two hours there and two hours to return. Worth the time? Too early to tell. The pick-up, short, but included a meal. The boxes were loaded in the back and the previously unknown pick-up, now slightly testing the waters. A few words. Words well-spoken and clear. It was clear the education level was top-notch. Many expectations for us all to master.
First timid, but not for long. Clearly pushing buttons to test the waters. “Go on and push”, young one. We are here for you. Pressing in on the prize, the future, sealed. Home now includes you! It does not matter from where you come. The direction ahead has been blessed for you. A German exchange student has opened our hearts, as the door has been opened to him. Alive once more with youthfulness and sarcasm, he heads out the door for his first day of school and soccer practice to boot.
The smiles remain ear to ear as we adapt and cultivate the seeds to be sown. Grateful surprises, each a new delight.
Yet again, the magic flows. Gratefulness around every corner, if you are willing and wanting. Sour relations, returned to their former glory. Not turned over by water, but by the blood within. Family ties, now stronger. It does not matter, good news or bad. What matters is which rose-colored glasses you peer from within. Reactions mighty and bold. Positive. Productive. Each put before us, for the reaction to be told. Each one of these, able to take life down. Or quite the opposite, in fact – life amplified and in full-bloom. The garden of life, healthy and abuzz. Beautiful with many grateful surprises awaiting.
You understand that when life comes at you, like it always does, it seems as if the waters keep rising. We feel as if we are drowning, but not quite so. There is always a hand stretched out in front of you. A hand to nourish and guide you. You are never alone. Now it’s your turn. It’s your turn to reach your hand back to another. For their fear is also about being left all alone. As we, in turn, help each other, we help ourselves and our perceptions altered. We grow more grateful and now understand.
Tell me about some of your grateful surprises you have had – maybe this week, or the next. I’m so very thankful and grateful for all of you! Thank you for reading. Stay tuned for more. New insights found, blogs written, then erased and rewritten again. I cannot wait to share with you the next time you are around. Now, go out and Amplify your Life, by reaching out hand to hand (mano a mano) to help those behind you climbing the same ladder of life.
