Growth & The Taste of Michigan

Words I found via email this morning:

This Saturday morning finds me alone and quiet for the most part. My mom is snoring, not ten feet away, in the chair she insists upon sleeping in each night even though the footstool doesn’t stay up and the recline doesn’t stay reclined and her hips slide down off the seat, so I have to pick her up off of the floor most mornings. But for the moment – she is asleep. I’ve already lifted her back up once, so I’m hoping she’ll stay put for a while. My husband, my daughter, and even the dog is all still asleep. I have my coffee (a local roasting company that none of my siblings like because there’s a subtle “maple walnut” flavor to it, so I didn’t buy it for months – then I realized – I freaking love it, and my siblings aren’t here, so I’m going to drink the dang coffee because – to me – it tastes like Michigan*). I have switched to non-dairy creamer as an anti-inflammatory measure. And despite the mess of the kitchen table, I have to say – 6:00am seldom feels as good as this. It’s a win for me after a very trying week. 

And it has been – a trying week. Work, Mom, Life, Finances, Tomatoes, Toddler, Toddler, Chocolate Lab.

Despite the difficulties of life as of late, I am learning and growing – and that is a good thing, I think. I hope. I pray. (Oh, Lord Jesus, please make it a good thing, somehow. Don’t let this season be in vain.) Here are the things I’ve learned this week and have chosen to take with me:

• Sometimes the first or obvious answer is not the right solution to my dilemma. Chad R. Allen shared some thoughts on this the other day, and even though Chad is a writing coach, this wisdom is applicable to every aspect of life. It has really challenged how I’m perceiving some things in my world right now. (If you’re a writer and you’re not engaging with Chad Allen and the Bookcamp community, please consider this your encouragement to get off your duff and get involved. You will not regret it.)
• Even as an introvert, I need and desire community. This is not a failing.
• This week, I faced (again) a difficult relationship situation, and I was able to respond better than I did last time. I shared the experience with a friend and mentor who was able to gently challenge me, as a musician gently challenges her instrument when she is tuning to open A, with a plan to respond even better next time.
• I asked three people for help. Their responses encouraged and broke me. I am inclined to do this again.
• I set writing goals and will end my week having met a couple of them. I am inclined to do this again, also.
• My printer is possessed by an alien-monkey-type demon. I’m choosing to see this for what it is (a tech issue) rather than how I feel about it (like I’ve failed to meet one of my writing goals).
• I miss my mom, and there is no reason to feel shame or apology for it. The whole thing sucks, and it’s okay to be honest about the experience and emotion of it all.
• Part of what makes me good at certain tasks is my willingness to ask questions when something seems wonky. This is a skill and a blessing. Others have skills I lack. I’m allowed to have this one and not feel a sense of shame for it.
• Moments with my daughter are worth treasuring.

How about you? What lessons have you learned this week? What growth are you going to carry with you into next week? I’d love to hear from you.

*I love my siblings more than I love Michigan, but there’s something special about tasting your state in your morning coffee. It’s like a poem waiting to stain the sides of my cup as it spills over.

From the shores of Wicket Lake;