Do you have
days you look forward to...more than others, I mean?
My husband,
the roommate, sits in wait from the day after Christmas until February 1st.
Because then the longest, darkest month with the shortest, coldest days is
over. Theoretically. According to his
theory, that is. Because I know, of course, that Punxsutawney
Phil is going to stick
When I was a
kid, I looked forward to Valentine’s Day because everybody in the class gave
nearly everyone else a valentine. And we got candy. Then I looked forward to
Easter because there was often a new dress in it for me, not to mention we wore
new white shoes to church instead of the black patent ones that hadn’t survived
the ravages of winter all that well. We had ham for Sunday dinner, the
grandparents came to visit. And we got candy.
There were
other days of excitement. I loved the 4th of July, complete with
fireworks. The first day of school was a biggie all the way from the first year
to the last. Thanksgiving and Christmas were my favorites.
I’m not sure
when it all changed. When I stopped saying, “Oh, I can’t wait...” about times,
events, things. When my emotional February 1st became unimportant
because all the days before it were so much fun and so full of life going on.
At some point—somewhere
between my first book in 1998 and my 10th sometime this year or next—it
all became about the journey. I still love holidays, but the getting ready for
them is more exciting than the actual days. I love having a new book, but the
anticipation is more fun to me than Release Day, when my stomach hurts and I’m
afraid no one will read it.
So, as the
roommate makes cross-offs on his mental calendar, I just look out the window at
the snow. I think about spring, but winter works for me while we get there. I
think about my next book and wonder when its release date will be, but in the
end it’s the writing, the revising, the anticipating what the cover will look
like that make it so much fun. It’s the journey.
Terrific post, Liz!
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I resolved not to wish our life away. For example, we may not be big fans of winter, but no matter how miserable the weather is outside, we want to enjoy each day to the fullest and not simply wish it away to see the spring bulbs bloom again.
We do like being on the other side of the shortest day of the year, though!
Oh gosh, me too! (Evidence I'm a writer: I just spent more time trying to figure out how to punctuate that response than I did actually responding. I think I still have it wrong!)
DeleteOne of my favorite phrases, which I first saw at the NCAA Champions Museum in Indianapolis, is "It's the journey." I think that applies to so much in life, like sports, and writing. This year I also am appreciating the people who are on the journey with me. I enjoyed reading your thoughts today, Liz!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Cathy. I wish I'd always realized it--I think I'd have enjoyed more things more often--but everything in its own time. Thanks for stopping by.
DeleteIt is the journey, Liz, you are so right! I never realized how often we watch the calendar for special events and then miss the anticipation, which is always better...or worse, depending on the event. Great post and yeah, we're ready for the longer days, too!
ReplyDeleteYes, on the "worse" part--I don't think I've ever looked forward to a medical visit with joy, but usually they haven't been as bad as the anticipation!
ReplyDeleteLove the post. Time sails past so quickly it seems. I still look forward to spring and summer. I am not a cold-weather person. Sometimes I think it paralyzes my brain and body. I really dislike that silly groundhog who almost always since I can remember sees his shadow. I love our author pick-me-up posts. They make me try to be more positive.
ReplyDeleteI like spring and summer better, too, but I'm not going to let myself be miserable because it's cold (which I used to do rather frequently.) I love our posts, too--yours the other day was wonderful!
DeleteI still look forward to the actual days because nothing is better than bebe's face on Christmas morning or her birthday...but the lead-up is almost as sweet. Making the lists, figuring out the meals, baking the good stuff...those days are just as sweet.
ReplyDeleteOh, absolutely. And all of the "firsts" are so exciting, too.
DeleteLove this post. And so agree it's all about the journey...but I'm also marking off the days until I can sit on my deck again!
ReplyDeleteOh, I know. Our patio furniture is all snow-covered out there and I'll be glad to see it in summer--but for now, the snow looks lacy on the wrought iron---it's pretty!
DeleteLiz, I so agree, it is the journey--especially (for me) when it comes to your thoughts on writing all the way down to the achy tummy... I will admit to looking forward to spring, but as a snow skier winter kind of gives me a special joy as well.
ReplyDeleteOh, I'll bet! We went to the top of the mountain our 6-year-old grandson skied down a few years back and I about hyperventilated, but he loved it.
DeleteI must be feeling whiny today, because I'm stuck on a middle section of a book and all I want to shout is: Why does it have to be such a hard journey! There. Whine over. Please return to enjoying your journey.
ReplyDeleteAnd thank you for sharing yours! As you know, we all go there with every book--it's good to have sister-writers to vent with.
DeleteLiz, you're such a sage! I can relate to you and the roommate - and Mel. I don't like the dark - come cellular memory, or something - so I love it when daylight arrives before 7:30 a.m. I think we looked forward as children, because there was so much less on our responsibility plates. In middle years, there's so much to do that there's hardly time to look forward or back. But 'maturity' gives us time. to consider, to notice, to just feel the sights and sounds of the journey - and help our children and the other young people in our lives to know what we've learned. Mel - remember that you're smart and funny and that middle is all going to come together - trust yourself. And have some chocolate! Going back to my lofty mountaintop now.
ReplyDeleteThat is my favorite part of retirement, Muriel. The time. Not that it's not busy now--it is--but almost every little bit of it (other than doctor's appointments) is spent doing what I want to do and even the responsibility of it doesn't seem as overwhelming.
DeleteThoughtful post, and so true. We need to enjoy the journey even as we anticipate what's coming.
ReplyDeleteSometimes being able to do both can be a slippery slope. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteThe journey is definitely the best part, and February, the shortest month is one of my favorites. The holidays are over, Valentine's Day is here and spring vacation is just around the corner.
ReplyDeleteI do like the "spring just around the corner" thing. However, I have two grandsons graduating from high school this spring, both of whom are going into the military. I can hardly bear the idea of them being grown up, much less leaving--so spring's looking bittersweet from this angle.
DeleteWell said, Liz. I'm to the point where I don't wish the days would fly. *g* Trying to enjoy each day--even winter which I detest--more fully.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely something we pick up on, isn't it? :-)
DeleteYes! The journey is what everything is about :).
ReplyDeleteHi, Rula. Thanks for stopping!
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