This past weekend was not at all the weekend I had mapped out in my head. Two consecutive days off had me dreaming of sleeping in, hanging out at home, catching up on bookwork, reading and immersing myself in my "Living Brave" online course. It was the weekend of my dreams. Then life happened.
I woke up Saturday morning feeling restless. I knew I needed family. I emailed or messaged each of my siblings, I texted my son and I sent an email to a cousin. My heart was telling me "Reach out! Reach out! Reach out!" So I did.
No one needed anything from me, so I went to work, prepared to put in a full day and go with the flow of wherever the weekend took me from that point onward.
As luck would have it, there wasn't really a full day of work for me. My workday was complete by 1:30 p.m. I was home by 2:30 p.m. and on my way to Mom's by 3:15 Saturday afternoon. I returned home 51 hours later. It was 51 hours well spent.
Mom had no idea I was headed her way until I was halfway there. I walked in her door two and a half hours after she knew I was coming and I knew I was exactly where I was meant to be.
We had a leisurely visit, a fun little shopping spree, a coffee date and stopped for supper before we came home. Thanks to gift cards and free coffee coupons, the only money spent was $1.25 at the first store, two cups of free coffee, $1.75 at a second store, then we wound up our day with a shared order of chicken strips and fries. It was a most delightful afternoon.
We were both on the same wavelength when she suggested we pick up a friend of hers, who is always on the "driving end" of any of their outings, the next morning. We went out for breakfast with Mom's friend, had another leisurely visit and Mom was so pleased to give back to her friend who gives of herself so freely.
Mom sent me on my way with a light heart. She is exactly where she wants to be and I am so glad I went out to share that space with her this past weekend.
Life is fleeting and it is the little things like an unexpected weekend with someone you care about that really matters in the end. My cats, my books, income tax prep work and "Living Brave" can wait until another day. This past weekend with Mom will never unfold this way again. It was such a nothing little trip. No expectations, no preparation, no work and no worry. I just showed up and we just went forward from there.
Mom's wind chimes started to ring on another windless day as my visit wound down to a close. I had just shaken out a mat so I was somewhat certain I had created a small breeze that found its way across the sidewalk, which probably caused the chimes to ring. I stood for a minute and watched. Was there a breeze? Why wasn't the other chime moving? I thought of Dad. I didn't feel his presence as strongly as I have felt it at other times. I didn't feel the warm embrace of gratitude I felt the last time those chimes rang on a windless day. Is he standing quietly in the sidelines? I couldn't stop and think too long or too hard. Is he waiting for her?
I turned around, walked back into the house and enjoyed every moment as it unfolded for the duration of my visit.
I knew I needed to reach out to family when I woke up to a long weekend three days ago. I am so very grateful I followed my heart and went where I needed to go.
When you feel a tug of "knowing" deep inside your soul, follow that call. Someone needs you.
