Day 25: ....things left undone

So this is Day 25 ....one quarter of the way through my first 100 days.

Twenty-five days....what should a person accomplish in 25 days?

I think my days have been celebratory, thankful...moving toward an "integrated wholeness" as Parker Palmer might say.

Yet, there still is a sense of not enough time...and many things still left undone...but the lists seem more meaningful...

Day 24: Stuff

Today I finally got back to the RRSEC office to deal with "the stuff" that I did not get to before I left. "The Stuff" is all the materials and things I acquired over my 32 years teaching at Rum River Special Education Cooperative. I didn't finish, but made progress...I needed to sort through information and "stuff" that was mine.

I know I'm keeping way to much of "the stuff." Information from the many projects I worked on and acquired....it seems hard to know right now what might be useful to me as I continue to work in the field of visual impairments.

I will get rid of more of it later.

Day 23: Going Public

The local newspaper called and wanted to do an interview...it is their way of honoring the retiring teachers...so given my attitude about my "re-engagement," you may have an insight about how I felt about it. Also, I've had several interviews and articles over the last couple of years...and I just did not know how I felt about another one in the paper...I said I would call them back.

So I did...eventually. The article came out in the newspaper today...

It is fine...Rachel did the interview and wrote the article. She has interviewed me before and does a nice job. Here is the link to the article.

http://isanticountynews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=6327&Itemid=85

Day 22: Smart, Young Women

Today I had both Olivia and Aidan (grandbabies) for the day. It was another hot day so I decided it would be a good day for the Splash Park in Princeton (about 11 miles to the west). I also decided it would be fun to have someone join us. I called my friend, Julie, who has a daughter, Aften (Olivia's age) and a son (Parker) who is school age, and she joined us.

I am very thankful that I have young female friends...they are special people in my life. My daughter, Ehlan, also includes me in activities with her friends sometimes and I am very appreciative for that.

I remember that my parents had friends who were my age after I was an adult...I can understand why.

I truly enjoy my smart, young women friends (my daughter included, although we will both agree that we we are not "girlfriends") and enjoy their laughter and friendship.

Day 21: Living Peacefully

Somewhere in the past year I read that having peace does not mean without "struggle." I must admit it was an "aha" moment for me. I think, unconsciously, I had this vision of "peace" that was this idyllic way of living without tension and conflict.

I think one aspect of "peace" is choosing your struggles.

Today I decided to "struggle" with my physical self. It was a very hot and humid morning...the kind of morning that would be easy to say, "It is too hot and humid to run today." So instead, I chose to struggle and pushed myself to run a mile without stopping, which for me, is something that I have not accomplished for one year.

In a way, it gave me some peace today.

Day 20: Celebrations

Today is June 21st...this is always one of the most eventful days of the year in our household...not necessarily in activities, but in spirit.

First, it is the summer solstice...Roger and I have always enjoyed this day of long light...so much so, that we got married on the summer solstice 30 years ago.

Second, Ehlan was born on this day 28 years ago...our second wedding anniversary.

The year she was born, 1981, it was also Father's Day and it was the day we moved into our current home...

So it is always a day of warm remembrances, stories, and sharing our love in our family.

Day 19: Nine Souls

Kathryn says that she is always impressed with the people who attend the retreats with us...and I absolutely agree. It is so good for my soul to be with such kind, committed, reflective, intelligent, and concerned spirits...it is always humbling and inspirational.

There are nine of us attending the retreat and I am very appreciative of every person who decided to spend time apart from their busy lives and share their wonderful journeys. I am especially appreciative of the young women who joined in...they are three of the nine. Their spirits are impressive.

I think I can safely say that we all feel nurtured to be at ARC, eating wholesome food, being amongst the wise and stately virgin pine timbers, and breathing more slowly.