Have you noticed that this year has been full of surprises?  Yeah, me too.  Surprise is defined as “an unexpected or astonishing event, fact, or thing.”  That does not mean it is always joyful.

It is just unexpected.

Today is my birthday!  Despite the pandemic, I am still celebrating because that is what birthdays are meant to be.  Celebrations.

Most of the past months have been spent in the quiet space of my country home.  I wake before dawn, make coffee, pray and meditate.  Everyone I know has remained healthy and safe during the unrest.  I am grateful.

Despite the quiet, my mind has been busy, busy, busy (insert the magician from Frosty the Snowman and smile). My “part-time” work has been challenging and rewarding.  Given the time spent at the computer, I have spent no time writing for myself (until today), and little time in social media.  When I unplug from the workday, I literally unplug from the screen.  The time away forces reflection. 

What have I been doing? 

Moving.  I have gotten back to lifting weights and moving my body to create both strength and mobility that allow me to play with my amazing nieces and nephew, and my silly Boxer boy, and get up and down off of the floor with minimal difficulty.  I have been able to dig a ditch, move yards of mulch to decorate around the house, and keep the lawn looking lovely, all with minimal soreness!

Reading.  I have been expanding my knowledge to assure my mental growth does not stop.  I am reading to learn more about myself and others in the world. I even read about things I do not necessarily agree with just to gain the understanding of another point of view.  In that time spent there is an unexpected side effect of awareness and a greater sense of compassion.  

Gardening.  My garden this year was an experiment.  I planted small amounts of a greater variety just to see what I could grow.  Hubs secured the garden plot with a seven-foot fence and so far, the deer have remained outside looking in.  We are enjoying tomatoes, beans, cucumbers, and the best potatoes!

Have I mentioned I love potatoes?  

The best thing about potatoes is that the magic happens beneath the soil.  I had a variety of organic potatoes in the cupboard that started to sprout.  Why not plant them? I thought to myself.  The plants came up and were hardy and happy!  Now, as the plants start to whither, I reach into the soil and although I am not sure what size or color they may be, there are potatoes!  And they are so tasty!

Unexpected.  

Today, I am doing a little work… and taking time to empty my head. I have only included a fraction of what is living in there today.  My phone is pinging.  My Facebook notifications are showing in the banner.  Despite my quiet country solitude, I am being touched…remembered by people near and far.  Despite the chaos in the world, people are stopping to wish me well.  The gratitude in my heart is overwhelming, and my eyes are filled with tears of joy.  

Unexpected.

Life is an amazing gift.  As I walk each day in my 50’s, I look back at the woman I was in my 20’s and think “Poor thing has no idea how incredible she is”.  As much as I am a “planner” and like to create a sense of comfort through organization in my day to day, it is the unexpected life experiences that taught me the most.   I am more resilient.  I am humbler.  I am more grateful for every moment I get to live.  I am a force of life and energy, and I will continue to make an impact, even from my quiet place.

Unexpected.