Thanks, JDaniel4’s Mom for having me. I never pass a silicon muffin tin at Bed Bath & Beyond without thinking of you. Ever.
I’m always thinking months in advance. I have no idea why I do this, because life has taught me over and over again that my plans do not matter. Someone else is flying this plane, and He’s got a much better view of the future than I do.
This spring I was determined to find a teaching job for next year. Not just any job though, I wanted my job back. The job I left in Texas, at the school I attended as a child. The job where all my friends still worked. The job that was the last one I held that made me happy.
It was all set. There was a math opening and the principal would even interview me via Skype since I was so far away. I began decorating my classroom in my head. I started panicking about childcare, schedules, the possibility of living apart from my husband for awhile.
Everything else in my life faded to a dull roar, a blur in the background. All I could think about was getting out of this city, getting away from bad memories, getting home to my family and friends.
And then I woke up one morning and opened an email that changed it all. As I read the words, “filled in-district,” I could hear brakes screaming in my head as all my plans ground to a halt.
Oh, how I moped. I was the mopiest mope you ever saw. And in the midst of my moping marathon, as I sat on the couch in the same yoga pants and t-shirt I’d worn the day before, my son climbed up in my lap with his nursery rhyme book.
“Read,” he demanded. So read we did, about the weasel that goes pop and the Sprats with their different dietary needs and that guy who is freaking out because he can’t find the Muffin Man.
Then we had cookies and lemonade and we sat on the porch and watched cars drive by, identifying them by their color and getting way too excited when a motorcycle would roar past.
I realized that the more I tried to make things happen, the more I had missed out on what was really happening.
I’m blessed to get to be a stay-at-home mom, especially in this economy. I’m lucky to live in a city that offers so much for its residents to enjoy – one of the biggest reasons we had for moving here in the first place.
And even though I no longer have family in this area, I’ve been blessed over and over again with beautiful friendships, both online and in real life here in Kansas City.
Today I turn 33. I’m not where I thought I’d be, but thanks to one small, sticky-fingered blonde boy, I know how wonderful it is to be where I am.
What a beautiful post. Sometimes it is so hard to be in the present. It sounds like your little sticky fingered blonde makes it all worth it!
He’s such a great gift to me!
Thank you for the reminder to remember what we have!
Sorry things didn’t work out, but it sounds like the job didn’t work out for a reason. This was a beautifully written post!
Thanks, Lisa. I feel as though I’m meant to do something else this year, so it’s good things worked out the way they did!
I bet you will cherish these memories forever.
What a wonderful moment of awareness you had. Sounds like things fell in place in just the perfect way after all.
They always do. Life’s funny that way!
Aw, happy birthday! And I’m sorry things don’t seem to be working out. In my life- they never do as planned, but what I’ve learned is that something better is waiting for me instead. I hope that happens for you too. (btw this is Farrah over at Greta’s 🙂
Thanks, Farrah! Something better is usually waiting. (Even if it takes a long plane ride to get there. 😉 )
Oh! The wonderful lessons you get to learn on the trip!
Great insight! Indeed, the moments we’re in are treasures!
And should always be counted as such, even if it’s difficult to do so! Thanks, Jessica!
You are so right! It isn’t always easy!
I am reading a book that encourages us to “weigh the moment down”, stop and appreciate the right-this-minute. This post is a great reminder of that. Happy Birthday to you!
Sounds like a great book, Tori! Thanks!
The book really sounds wonderful!
Thanks, Deirdre, for having me!
I am so honored that you shared your writing here.
Leave it to The Cherubs to put it all into perspective in a heartbeat. I so enjoyed this…well told.
They are such wonderful teachers!
Beautiful. This is why I get excited when a new post of yours in is my inbox, Julie. You have a way with words, even when you’re talking about being the “mopiest mope”. I’m selfishly happy you’re still here in KC, but you know I wish for you to be happy as well.
She has true gift with words!
I loved this entry! Funny how we are often hoping and wishing for something else, something more and rarely take the time to embrace the here and now. We all have different things to be grateful for and sometimes we just get lost in our dreams to realize that we are living one already.
That was a great read, thank you!
You are so right! Being present is really important.
I appreciated the imagery of someone else is flying the plane. I have to agree that my kids, especially my youngest, seems to find those perfect spots with the perfect words that remind that this is all about Him. And not about me.
My guy has taught me so much!
I’m so guilty of always looking for what I don’t have instead of being thankful for what I have.
I am guilty of this too.
Lovely post. Thanks for introducing us to your friend.
=)
She is really special.
Aww, Julie I’m sorry. I know you were wanting to get that job and I didn’t realize the details of what happened. God’s got a plan, I know you know that and the wait is sometimes so frustrating. I’m glad one little toddler reminded you to live in the moment and to take things one story at a time. 🙂
I am so glad she chose to like in the moment too.
It’s good to be thankful for what we have… it could always be different. Great post! xoxo
This is so true!
Happy birthday Julie and I’m glad you are able to appreciate what you have been given in life.
I didn’t realize it was Julie’s birthday. Now I feel so honored that she spent part of it here.
Happy Birthday, Mama Mash!
Thank you for stopping by!
I love how you learn what life is teaching you, even if it isn’t what you wanted or expected. Like Greta, I get so excited when I see a new post from you. Each one makes me smile and makes me feel closer to you. I love how the blonde little monkey with the sticky fingers has made your life what it is. You are blessed. You are a blessing.
Thank you so much for stopping by and sharing this amazing comment.
Thank goodness for Monkeys.
Hope you had a gorgeous birthday. xo
Monkeys are the best!
I love this: “the mopiest mope” – and them mopiest moment always precedes a potentially beautiful revelation moment like the one you wrote about! “To find it wonderful to be where I am” – oh, how I needed to hear those words!
I am so glad this shared words you needed to here. Thank you so much for stopping by.
What a beautiful post! I often pray to God about my choices- if it is your will, even though this can be difficult when I really want something. He wants what is best for us, though.
So true! He does give us what is best!
Great post! And happy belated birthday!! It is easy to get caught up in dreams or other plans and miss the good we really have