What a long, wonderful day!
First off, for whatever reason I struggled with falling asleep last night. 2am brought me looking at my phone in horror, as I had a full day ahead of me and wanted to be up early.
630am came and I literally gave my phone the finger and rolled back over. Chaser had snuck in my bed in the middle of the night, and was fast asleep next to me. I took a moment to admire his peaceful, sleeping face before I fell blissfully back to sleep again myself.
Guilt for not getting up and getting shit done kept me from sleeping well, and when Sophia called me at 9am I urged myself out of bed, made coffee, and called her back.
According to Google Maps, I drove 120 miles today. I drove 45 minutes in one direction, back home, took Matt to a friends house, hit the grocery store, back home, and then 45 minutes in the opposite direction of the way I had traveled previously, and back home again. My travels commenced at noon, and I didn’t park Scarlett in the garage until 830pm. It was an absolutely beautiful day to be on the road, and I rejoiced at just me, Scarlett, and my stereo. It stayed between 68℉ and 73℉ no matter where I was at, the cerulean blue sky was full of fat puffy clouds, the sun was shining. . . I live for days like this. I had my be happy shirt on, and a new pair of sunglasses, and all was right in my world.
I spent time with a high school friend today, catching up after many months of not being able to have in person contact due to the pandemic. We got Starbucks, exchanged gifts – beautifully hand made clothing and jewelry he had made and gave to me, just because – and a simple Starbucks gift card for him because I am not the best gift giver. It was his birthday weekend, and he had opted to spend his Saturday afternoon and early evening with me. Our visits are never dull, we can talk for hours. We did just that, finding a park to walk in, and eventually a set of bleachers in the wonderful, warm sunshine to sit. We exchanged updates on our jobs, families, our artistic ventures, while watching a young family play kickball. We’ve been friends for twenty odd years, and no matter how long of a time between visits or Facebook messenger chats, we always just pick up where we left off. It’s nice to be with someone who knew you before life happened. Someone who knew the original you, before life had a chance to change you. Before kids, before hair dye or a straightener had ever hit my naturally curly hair. Back in the days when I fancied myself a new age hippie, with peace sign sunglasses and bandanas and bell bottoms, back when we sang a duet together on stage at a choir concert, both full of nerves, back when we had made an attempt at starting a band fresh out of high school. . . We got lost together randomly driving on multiple occasions, he was the first person to really encourage my love for heavier rock music, and has never, ever judged me for any decision I have ever made and always stuck by me and been there, no matter what. He was one of the first to read my first writings, and continues to encourage this little hobby of mine. He’s one of my dearest friends. This afternoon was such a treat, it was so nice to relax in the sunshine and mild temperatures, without pretenses, without having to sensor myself, without expectations.
Anyway, as for today’s quote.
“We shall find peace. We shall hear angels, we shall see the sky sparkling with diamonds.” – Anton Chekhov
This morning when I read the quote, I was like ummmm. . . ? I suppose this one could be talking about the afterlife, it could be talking about stars in the sky, it could be talking about a million and one different things. But today, I knew peace, and felt like we had been graced with this beautiful day.
In our visit alone, I found peace – let alone the three and a half hours I spent driving and listening to music I love. I found peace in that I could be completely and utterly, unabashedly me. I was allowed to show my bitter side, my I don’t give a fuck side, and my caring side, all in one breath. It seemed that the angels sang and gave us this beautiful day to just sit outside and catch up, and indeed it did seem as though the sky was sparkling with diamonds, it was such a clear, bright blue.
I drove home after realizing how late it was, the temperature slowly dropping, the sun setting at my back. There were less clouds, and the sky was more of a denim color than cerulean. I smiled at random wild flowers in the fields, birds swooping, a family sitting in their yard. . . what a beautiful day to be alive. I got home and parked Scarlett, and hurried up and watered my thirsty plants, finally coming inside to sit down with Matt’s laptop again. I really should give it back to him at some point, but this is so much better to be writing on than my phone. It had gotten a little chilly outside, so instead of sitting on my back deck, now I sit on my floor, laptop in front of me. Outlaws and Outsiders is playing from my Bluetooth speaker tonight, this Cory Marks dude collaborating with both country and rock musicians to make one of my current favorite songs. I just peeked in the mirror and only where my cheekbones sit is a tad sunburned, and the flip flop tan lines are just a little more pronounced.
Tomorrow brings new adventures, and a new quote, and maybe another old draft finished. For tonight I am thankful for a beautiful day full of music, laughter, and friendship.
Take a split second to look for the diamonds in each moment, to hear the angels, and find peace with where you are right now.
So, This is Real Life 