Feeling Known

Sometimes one of your best people gives you something that fits and also fits. 

The Blessed 5-2

I'm 52 years-old today. Life has been super life-y this past year. I'm celebrating the good stuff and even the stuff that feels less than good because it's all part of the big, gorgeous, mess.

Yesterday, I went to lunch at my favorite LA-vegan-hippie-woowoo restaurant with my friend Karen. At this place they always ask a "question of the day." It's not an extemporaneous test, thank goodness. The server doesn't wait for an answer, just poses the question. Over the years, I've been asked what inspires me, what I am grateful for, and what do I delight in. It's all kind of ridiculous but I always answer the question in my head, because why not?

Yesterday our server, Cory, tossed off a question that felt deeper than usual. "What is your mission?" he asked. In between lunch and my on-the-house birthday dessert, it suddenly got real at our table. That question felt too deep for a quick one-word answer. I thought about it on the drive home. What was my mission?

Back when I was 46, I celebrated 23 years of sobriety. Because I was 23 years-old at the time I got sober, it meant that on that day at 46, I had been sober for half of my life. A young woman who knew I was celebrating my sobriety that day asked me, "How does it feel to have lived half your life in grace?" Her question took my breath away.

I've decided that my mission will be to live my life in grace. Under that umbrella of grace is love, kindness, forgiveness, patience, acceptance, and gratitude. I will absolutely fail sometimes, but grace will be there, ready to be claimed at each new moment, whenever I'm ready.

Banner Year

This year, there are no banners being made in Bob's soccer league. I don't know why. The coach's son took matters into his own hands and crafted this for the team. It's all kinds of awesome. Go Orange Crush!

Smacksy Sunday Links

Last Night

To fall in love with anyone, do this.

The real Ruby Bridges.

Live more intentionally.

No, the internet has not killed the printed book.

What your sleeping position says about your personality.

And the world's cutest puppy sneeze.

Happy Sunday. 

Smacksy Saturday Photos: Warm Up

The Orange Crush ready for game one.

Lovely Day

I interrupted my doctor's appointment to take this photo out the window.

Antarctica

Bob: Why did you throw it in there, Desmond?

Desmond: I didn't mean to, it just went there. I'll probably never see it again.

Felix: How weird would it be if you went to Antarctica one day and found it inside a giant block of ice?

Desmond: I bet you a million dollars that will never happen.

Felix: What do you want to be when you grow up, again?"

Bob: Baseball player or architect.

Desmond: Yeah, architect. Why?

Felix: I just want to see if you're going to have enough money to pay that million dollars. You might need a different job.

Bob: If I'm a baseball player, I can loan it to you, Desmond.