SWEET ANTICIPATION
BY SYNDI POWELL
I don't know about anyone else, but the time from Labor Day
until New Year's Eve is a wonderful time of year to me. There's something about
kids going back to school that signals a fresh beginning. Then you get the
cooler temperatures and falling leaves of Fall. Halloween followed by
Thanksgiving (my absolute favorite holiday) then Christmas (my second favorite),
my birthday and New Year's gives me great joy. There's so much going on with the
family and friends that I don't have time to be lonely. I anticipate all the
fun that could happen at these events if I could fit them all into my already
packed schedule.
That's how I feel right now. But in about March, I'll
anticipate Spring with the flowers blooming and warmer temperatures. And then
Easter (my third favorite holiday) ushers in another beginning. Tee shirts and
shorts with sandals become my uniform, and plans start to pour in for picnics,
weddings and graduation parties. I can't help but feel joy as Spring turns into
Summer.
Is anyone else like this? I enjoy the season I'm in, but
then I start looking forward to what the next one will bring. (Except for
winter… I'd rather skip the snow and ice). I know we're supposed to enjoy the
moment. To live in the present. But I like feeling the anticipation that comes
with looking forward to the future.
For example, my family and I have been planning our trip to
Disney World this coming December for the last two years. We got together this
past Sunday to plan out our days while we're in Orlando including putting in
our reservations for some of the biggest rides. My mom, sister and I love to
discuss what we're going to do and what we're going to see. It might make the
eyes of my nieces roll, but we enjoy the planning part of the trip. Whether the
reality of the experience lives up to our anticipation doesn't matter so much
because we enjoy talking about the what ifs and could happens.
Sweet anticipation. Maybe it's a bride planning her wedding.
Or a mom preparing for the birth of her baby. Or a family planning the trip of
a lifetime. If anticipation had a taste, I think it would be like a rich
chocolate that satisfies the deep yearning in your soul.
What are you anticipating?
PS- I 'd hoped to post a picture of the cover for my February 2020 Heartwarming book, but I'm having technical difficulties of posting anything but text here. Guess you'll have to anticipate seeing it next time....
Loved this post Syndi, especially your last line though I was looking forward to seeing that cover. Anticipation is half the fun of many of our special celebrations and events, though there’s a fine line between anticipation and expectation, isn’t there? I’m envious of your big family...surely a nice premise for another book, too? :)
ReplyDeleteI love anticipation! I'm a "journey" type traveler, too, often enjoying the journey more than the destination.
ReplyDeleteI've read how studies show that a good bit of our pleasure in life is found in anticipation. But I try not to look forward so much that I forget to enjoy where I'm at. Hope you have a wonderful autumn forward!
ReplyDeleteI'm with you on the fall--love new beginnings. It's an excellent time to set goals. I guess we all really do enjoy the sense of looking forward to something. Thanks--all the best with the book.
ReplyDeleteAnticipation is sometimes the best part of a journey...or a present. I'm afraid kids of today have no idea what it's like to wish for something and then have to wait to get it. lol
ReplyDeleteFall is definitely a favorite season for me. I do look forward to it. As for me, I anticipate all of the wonderful books I have lined up to read. Since my mother became critically ill and I was unable to read for a couple of months, it’s nice to have that diversion again, especially along with more comfortable weather to do it in.
ReplyDeleteI’m going to go look up your upcoming book release.
I heard once that to be happy you need someone to love, something to give you purpose and something to look forward to. I always need something to look forward to! Perhaps that's why I don't like surprise parties...I get so much out of anticipating all the fun! Awaiting your next book cover is always a fun thing to anticipate too:-)
ReplyDelete