Learning to listen

Today I decided to head out on my own little roadtrip--or "daycation" by my niece Tracy's definition. I packed a lunch and loaded two lawn chairs, beach towels, reading materials and a change of clothes into my car and headed to the lake. I intended to lay in the sun for a bit then get busy writing. I staked out my picnic table and planted my belongings before heading to the beach with my other lawn chair, a beer, a book, and a beach towel. I moved to the farthest end of the beach, away from the splashing children and sunbathing teens. With my lawn chair at the edge of the water and my book in hand, I took my seat. Lesson learned--you cannot escape splashing children at a public beach; especially when they discover the geese congretating next to your lawn chair. I certainly hope my sister won't mind that the book she loaned me is a bit waterlogged!

More importantly, I learned to listen. Today the sounds of children splashing & laughing, parents playing and teaching, even geese honking were in perfect tune. I closed my eyes and listened to the harmony of life around me: "look a fish"; "mom, help me make a sandcastle"; "can I play with you"; "don't go out too far"...... At one point I opened my eyes to see a frail, silver-haired couple holding hands venturing out into the water. As the children played around them, I smiled, closed my eyes and shared that moment.

The beginning

When I spent the 4th of July weekend with my niece, Tracy, we explored the realm of blogging. She helped me set up a blog; which I have not been able to find since returning home to my own computer. It is apparently floating somewhere out there in cyberspace. Lesson for today: Write it down! My own senior moments are occurring regularly in spite of my mere "39" years of age. If you are familiar with my Life Lessons from Oklahoma, you know I manage to educate myself on a regular basis. I haven't figured out how to upload (or is it download) photos; but will as I learn that task, I will share some pictures, too. Anyway, I hope this will be fun and that you might laugh with me on occasion!