AFTER 40 YEARS â—½ MARRIAGE
Those G
I recently watched a video by Wanda Sykes, a comedian, about overthinking. It made me laugh out loud, because I’m an overthinker! One of my goals for a long time has to be more like my husband, an “in the moment” kind of guy that experiences peace all the time. I’m not there yet, and I thought I’d share a normal example of what I mean.
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Here’s a view into my head on a walk with Jon on any given evening, as the sun is setting, as we walk hand in hand around the neighborhood, along the creek, or through a park trail. The italics are my thoughts to everything Jon says while we walk.
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Jon: I hear the birds chirping every morning. Have you heard them?
Me: I don’t even remember this morning. This day has been soooo full.
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Jon: I wonder why those leaves haven’t fallen off of those trees, when it’s now well into winter.
Me: What am I going to make for our lunches tomorrow? Do I have anything?
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Jon: Wow, it feels so good out tonight. The breeze is perfect.
Me: I hope no one sees me, I can’t believe I’m wearing this to walk, and my hair is a mess.
Jon: That dog is so cute (as he stops to pet another person’s dog that looks at him with love…)
Me: Come on, we’re going to end up walking in the dark. The sun is setting so fast.
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Jon: I think that used to be a baseball practice field down there.
Me: Gosh, I forgot about that load in the washer. I need to get it out when we get back.
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Jon: (As we arrive at home…) That tree I trimmed looks so good. I love to manicure things in the yard.
Me: (looking at my watch…) Well, at least we got 30 minutes in.
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Can you relate to this at all? And that’s just the cliff notes! I have walked an entire route holding Jon’s hand, and even trying to stir up deep conversation…only to miss the leaves blowing, the people passing, and even the sun setting…in favor of overthinking!
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And I’ve even been frustrated before that he won’t enter into deep conversation (i.e. about life, mysteries, questions, etc. – the things that make my head hurt).
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But…I’ve noticed that walking isn’t the time for that. It’s the time for observing His goodness around me and ending up at the end of the walk feeling refreshed…not like I’ve just walked with bricks on my back.
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I’m still learning. And often, I realize it a third of the way through our walks and enjoy the last two-third. So I’m still growing. And I’m still learning. And I’m breathing a lot lighter and sighing at the beauty of the amazing sun as it slips so quickly behind the horizon…instead of sighing that the walk is over and I can mark that task off my list.
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And I’m squeezing his hand a little bit tighter, and giving thanks…
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(I did stop and take this fantastic photo above that made me smile…)