Empty Bucket? Filled.

My bucket is feeling a little empty. Spent. It has been a week since Tim and Lydia said their “I do’s” and I am STILL recovering. It was a beautiful day. A near-perfect day. Family. Friends. Dancing. Joy. A whole weekend of celebrating. Such a gift! And I am still exhausted from it.

You can do it, Cath! You can do it!

But what if I can’t? What if I’m just . . . S O . . . T . . I . . R . . E . . D . . . . . ? ? ?
Will you be disappointed in me?
Will I have let you down? 
Will I have let myself down?

Good heavens, child. Relax. A blog post is not the end of the world. There is no report card. No grade to be given. Not even a pass/fail. It just is what it is.

Okay. I guess that’s better. Yes. Good to know. Good reminder.

So, what would you like to write about this week? What’s cooking behind those brown eyes of yours?

Well, I suppose I could use a little exhale. An “Ahhhhhhhhh …” if you will. After the crescendo of wedding planning and activity, my brain is a little fried. Can we work with that?

Sure. Maybe a little ease is in order. Would that help?

Most definitely . . . . . Can I go take my nap now?

Nooo. Not quite yet. Hang in there for just a bit. Soon. I promise.

Okay. I know you’re expecting something wise and witty. I honestly don’t know where that’s coming from today. 

How about we just sit quietly for a bit. Close your eyes … No, wait. Maybe you should keep them open. Too tempting. How about starting with what you are grateful for right this minute? Right where you are?

Right now? What am I grateful for? 

Yep. Keep it simple. Right now. Just focus on gratitude. Just for a minute. 

Okay … well … I am grateful for my two feet and the ground that’s solid beneath them. I never have to worry about it giving way. That’s pretty great, you know? Imagine if that was something I actually had to worry about? (Is it weird that I think about things like that?)

All right. Good! What else?

And … A misty stroll through the yard this morning. Damp shoes and dry socks. I have a drawer full of dry socks always waiting. Nothing like switching out my socks after a walk through the wet grass.

Mmhmmmm … keep going …

And … Rain-washed figs, all droopy and brown, letting me know they’re ready for the bowl on my counter. This looks like a really good year for figs. 

And … Pawpaw fruits that I’ve never tried before getting bigger and rounder on my pawpaw trees. I can’t wait to pick my first.

And … A snoozing pup soundtrack on a soft, gray Friday in September. With Saben snoring in the next room, it’s no wonder I’m having a hard time keeping my eyes open. He does make me feel all cozy and warm.

You did it! Bravo! That wasn’t so hard, now, was it?

Nope. It wasn’t hard. You know, it doesn’t feel like much, my little gratitude list. It feels like more is required. More wisdom, more beauty, more inspiration, or a deeper understanding of the three. But then again … maybe not. Maybe it’s the noticing that’s the key. It doesn’t matter what the subject is. It’s just paying attention and saying thank you. So many unnoticed gifts that fly by on any given day.

Excellent point. So … How do you feel now??

I feel BETTER. More energized. Like I could skip the nap and enjoy the rest of the day. I might even go for a walk if the rain holds off. And maybe, even if it doesn’t. There’s nothing like a walk in the rain, you know.

Yep. There is nothing like a walk in the rain.

❤️ Cath