As September ends, I'm feeling a sense of relief. It's been a busy month. If this month had been a piece of music, it would have had a Charlie Parker-be-bop feel. Rhythm, energy, dissonance and harmony. The kind of music that, once you think you "have" it goes off in a new direction.
Both of my older children, Calvin and Henry are in middle school now -- 7th and 6th grade respectively. And Roger is in 2nd. The way I figure it the older boys are responsible to about a dozen individual teachers each. Fortunately Roger is in a 1st/2nd grade multi-age class so he has the same (one) teacher he had last year. This month has been about transitions and settling into a new routine. But last week we saw the emerging routine busted up when Calvin fractured the humerus in his left arm while skateboarding. It's an easy break -- four weeks in a sling and he'll be healed....just in time for basketball. It a huge thing for him. No piano. No saxophone. No falling down.
After I wrote this paragraph yesterday morning, I stopped, took my hands off the computer and waited. My mind was completely flooded and overflowing with thoughts. It's the end of the month and I need to reassess. What is possible now? What are my priorities?
A month ago, we were deep and comfortable with summer rhythm. I taught two Sunrise Yoga classes at the Y and that was it. Summer rhythm was all about doing less and letting things (and kids) be. The boys built forts and roamed. Roger learned to ride a bike. Calvin and Henry became enthralled by their skateboards. Summer "time" was spacious. Mike spent most of the summer working on his parents house and tending our garden. I teach yoga but Mike's the real deal, someone who lives his practice. He does one thing at a time and he does it with full attention more times than not. Whether it is caring for his parents, tending the garden, volunteering in the community as an EMT or playing his violin, he is attentive to his work. More on that later.
A month later, sitting in front of the computer, I realize that I'm not longer the relaxed Mom. There are schedules to be met....and yes, there is one posted on the refrigerator door that has a general overview of our schedule in addition to the family calendar which hangs next to the Galway Central School Calendar. And the schedule and two calendars all bow in respect to the small notebook calendar I carry with me at all times. That's the standard....the Greenwich Mean Time of Calendars in our family.
Today, the day is free and empty. As I sat in front of the computer, I realized that I had about five hours to calm my mind's choppy waters. I packed up my journal and headed toward Saratoga Springs. When I feel like this, the possibilities for clarity are always greater for me sitting in Borders with a pot of tea, the comfort of books and the quiet companionship of the other early morning bookstore types. For those of you who live in Saratoga Springs, I love Uncommon Grounds (especially since it's been renovated) and Mike and Jon's place on Broadway (the Clean Bean -- my very favorite) are wonderful, but there's nothing like sipping tea and writing while surrounded by all those books. I've told the boys that when I was their age, it would have been unheard of for a bookstore to offer comfortable seat, food and beverage to enjoy while you shop! I feel Grace on early mornings in Borders and I suspect my quiet companions, working on laptops or, often, writing in journals or reading feel the same. There aren't nearly as many people hurrying to get their coffee and head out the door, talking on a phone continuously. In fact, in the 3 hours I spent at Borders, I didn't hear a single person on a cell phone in the cafe.
Grace can make an appearance over a cup of tea. More what I learned during my sojourn tomorrow.....or the next quiet time I find to connect
Blessings to you right now --
Lisa
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