Jaxon was kind enough to wake me up at 4:10 AM.  Nature call. Ugh.  I dutifully followed him to the door and took him for his routine walk around the yard.  As we made our way to his favorite spots, the sky lit up.  Shortly after, a rumble of thunder sounded in the distance.  A storm was coming.

Given I am an early riser, I allowed myself to waken a bit as we walked, knowing a return to bed would prove fruitless.  Jaxon finished his walk, and we went back to the house where he proceeded to give me “the stare”, which is a hallmark sign for “you can feed me now”.  I fed him and he promptly returned to bed.

Me?  I’m up.  

I created my perfect cup of coffee, and sat to write in my gratitude journal.  There is a short quote at the top of each page.  Today’s quote was by Dr. Suess.  It said, in true Dr. Suess style:  “Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory.”  

As the storm rolled in, and the rain started banging on the roof, I was grateful Jaxon woke me before the deluge, as he does NOT like to go out in the rain.  The bright flashes of lightening awakened a memory of sitting on the back porch of my family homestead with my dad, watching a thunderstorm. Rather than find a spot well inside the house, we would sit on the porch, watching the lightening rip through the sky, marveling at the majesty of the show.  We would count the seconds between the flashes and rumbles, making a “scientific guess” at the proximity of the storm.  I can see those moments many years ago as clearly as the coffee in my brightly colored mug today.

The memories I have of the people I love are a treasure.  Some of my fishing family and I share an inside chuckle regarding memories. One of us will recall something that happened on one of our adventures and reach out to another via text message or phone call with one word… “Flashcard!”  Then, we share what popped in to our conscious thought.  It only takes a few words, and transports us back to some wonderful time together.

I have been working on being more present in my day to day.  Through the years, I have learned to appreciate experiences of the past, yet not dwell in it.  I have respect for the future, and the need to be a responsible citizen.  Creating a future life does require some planning.  However, if I spend my time obsessing about the future, I am missing out on what is happening right now.  Balance is key.  

I have savored my cup of coffee today.  As my mind filled with thoughts, I sat to pour some of them out on a page to share with you.  In my sharing, I have reinforced with myself the importance of being present.  I know that even things that have been uncomfortable have helped mold the “me” I am today.  I like that “me.”

By remaining in the moment, I can continue to fill my treasure box with memories.  By being present, I am a better friend… daughter… sister… human. Me.  The thunder and lightening have passed.  The rain continues to fall.