In the corner of the coffee shop, I spot her. A silver haired woman sitting alone at a table for two. A steaming cup of coffee sits beside her–beside her left hand that is hard at work on something that I cannot see. Her focus is unmovable. Upon my arrival I had taken one...
Can we stop and get a pack of gum, she asks as the five of us make our way to the car after a quick errand. The air was cold, an April day that felt like January. We are wearing winter coats and scoffing at the weather as we climb into the car. She points...
It was in the early months of our marriage. The incident. Somewhere between month one and month four. I know this because we were only in that small apartment for a short time. The apartment was tiny. Really, really tiny. One bedroom–big enough for a bed and dresser. A sort of living room with enough...
I walked into the hair salon a couple of weeks ago and was greeted by the smile of my sweet and talented stylist. I sat down in front of the mirror and she lifted the cape and placed it around my neck and asked the question she asks me every four weeks. What are we...
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Beautiful! Your writing bring tears to my eyes. You have such a gift with words, they are as beautiful as the photos that you take. My heart is touched! Thank you!
Jennie, you are so kind. THANK YOU!
I was the same as you, always rushing, learning, moving, moving, never sitting still for longer than a minute. There was just too damn much I had to see and to DO! All of it came to a crashing halt in January with the death of my sister and life more or less stopped. It has since started again, but you know what? I’m still just as busy, still learning and doing and trying new things, but it’s much more fun and it’s at such a slower pace now. I don’t beat myself up anymore if I don’t finish a task on my daily to-do list, if my running pace has slowed by a FULL TWO MINUTES! (gasp!) – – – it’s the fact that I have learned to slow down, to be easy with myself and to just be.
And I have to agree with your husband in the overuse of the word “mindful”. Gotta say that the word “authentic” has gotten awfully trendy these last couple years, too. “Just be” is more my lingo. : )
Oh Katie, I am so so sorry to hear about your sister. Life and grief just have a way don’t they? I’m glad to hear that you are slowing your pace and that you are being. . . well being. . .
And yes, I agree with authentic and mindful–I’m still seeking slow and awareness. 🙂
Much love to you as you continue on your incredible journey, Katie.