changed for Good

This very interesting journey of 100 days has brought me to a most conscious and aware place. I find myself noticing things I perhaps would have passed over previously- yet, suddenly I am not only aware but grateful. Please don’t misunderstand, it is not that my life is perfect and everything is roses. However, I do find that finding the good in each day, makes the days where the journey is more of a challenge much less of a challenge.

Today I am catching up on my 100 days

Day 11 – I am a very lucky woman. Like most people I love a cup of something warm in the morning to begin my day. My husband has a reputation for making an amazing cup of coffee. While I actually don’t need a whole cup of his coffee at ANYTIME (whew it is strong!) I am blessed to say that each morning, without exception, he makes me coffee. If I am not up when he is (he gets up at 4ish am every morning) he wraps it in a towel for me to keep warm. (we use a French press) How blessed am I?!

Day 12 What a wonder! Today was a travel day- we left on vacation at 6:30am, driving to our first destination of Kentucky. THIS amazing flower was at a rest stop. A REST STOP! I don’t think I need to explain further. WONDER is the word of the day!

Day 13 History has always been an amazement to me. I find such incredible power in walking where incredible souls have walked before me. Today we visited Lincoln’s birth place and boyhood home. WOW! Lincoln! My father had a special place in his heart for Lincoln, today I felt closer to him because I was walking where Lincoln walked. It was indeed a blessing.

Day 14 Driving to Memphis. I will be honest, this has never been on my list of things to do. It has been however, on my husband’s list of things to do. I am not thrilled with the idea of barbecue, although as it turns out it is more about the texture than the actual flavor, I certainly had nothing for Elvis- so in my mind, Memphis was just another place on the map. However- making my husband happy, that is another story all together. I have no image for this day, mostly because it was a sound, not an image. As we were driving to Memphis we started talking about all the great songs that referenced Memphis. I began playing them and before I knew it the excitement that built in me bloomed. I was doing my best to honor my husband, but ended up being quite thrilled that we were on our way to another profound and historic place. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KK5YGWS5H84

Day 15 All I can say is see #14. Today we went to Graceland. I NEVER had any desire to see what I thought was gratuitous wealth, arrogance and self absorption. (yes I know, don’t judge!) What I found was a human being, who was actually sort of shy, adored his family and tried to do good things. The house is totally stuck in the 70’s which made me giggle, the spirit of the house is profound. Elvis was the king…. I was saddened by the fact that his challenges ultimately destroyed him. There were many things I was grateful for- however I was downright giddy over doing what countless others have done before me. I wrote on the wall at Graceland. I felt like a rebel. It was pretty awesome.

Day 16 One of the things I believe is most important in life is appreciating others. While I don’t believe everyone on earth deserves a tip for doing their job, I am very well aware that some services are probably very under paid for their hard work. That said, I always tip the housekeeping staff in my hotel room. I usually write a note as well. Well today, Felicia, my wonderful housekeeper extraordinaire wrote back! This has NEVER happened to me before. It was a lovely, wonderful surprise. I felt so blessed.

Day 17 There are no words to really explain how visiting the Civil Rights Museum made me feel. powerful, overwhelmed, and honestly- ashamed.

Upon reflecting on this day, I have to say that I was only in the parking lot of the museum by the time I felt completely overwhelmed. By the time I was about half way through I literally shut down emotionally. It is a horror to witness visually the crimes and hatred one set of people had for another based on the color of their skin. It completely boggled my mind and broke my heart. It certainly wasn’t news to me. As someone who has always sought to learn more about history, I was well aware of these horrors. However the Civil Rights museum did a fine job of creating this information in a very visual and moving way. I am forever changed.

Part of my gratitude these days comes from the opportunity to walk where other inspiring souls have walked before me. I feel that I am blessed with the sensitivity to feel the power, the spirit of them. This trip to Memphis has been a multitude of blessings. Time alone with my husband, visiting historically significant places, taking a moment to sit by the fire and as my sweet niece Emily would say, “Marsh Mellows” – it’s a good thing. It’s a recharging thing. I am so blessed.

Day 18 On a lighter note- rarely have I witnessed something more charming than the Peabody Ducks at the Peabody Hotel in Memphis. It made me wish I could bring my mom who adored ducks to visit this very sweet and down right amazing sight!

Day 19 We left Memphis and visited friends whom I haven’t seen in over fifteen years. One would think that was completely awkward. NOPE. It was amazing, the blessing of a friendship kept for such a long time.

Day 20 Travel home. Feeling blessed for my experiences, but also the fact that this charming puppy is gosh darn glad to see me. Not much beats unconditional love from a furry child.

Day 20 There is nothing quite like your nearly twenty-six year old daughter being thrilled that you are home. It’s the little things.

Day 21 How awesome is the summer opportunity to have fresh food that is rich in flavor and perhaps even good for you?! Caprese salad- made with love!

Day 22 It amazes me how the gifts of another can profoundly affect others. This is true of the medical field, the arts, whatever you do really. (this is probably why I became friends with my wonderful housekeeper in Memphis) Today I was touched, and continued to heal by the efforts of my acupuncturist, Christine Papp. Christine listens with her heart, and intuitively treats that which I find challenging. She is a gift.

I believe I am just about caught up.
it’s has been an amazing time. I feel like someone who had blinders taken off. Not all the experiences I have had were fully of hearts and flowers, but all of them changed me and I have been changed for good.

Peace to you, my friend.
Susan