It’s the second week of November, which means the second week of NaBloPoMo. Last week was super fun- I love branching out and reading some different blogs. Let’s keep the momentum going!
Yesterday was such a nice day. In my post I talked about all the things that came together to make it extra-special- the time change, weather change, and New York City Marathon on TV. It made me think about other days in the past that stood out as unusually great.
It seems like there’s one day every holiday season… here’s the one that I remember from last year. (Warning! I’m going to talk briefly about politics, ACK! But no worries… we can still be friends if we didn’t vote for the same person.)
It was the Friday after election day. I think we’ll all remember, for a very long time, that stressful week. We voted on Tuesday and didn’t get the results until Saturday- crazy. Anyway, on that Friday morning I left for work early and was on my way to Starbucks, which is my usual Friday tradition. On the way there, I got a text from my sister: “Biden won Pennsylvania.”
Even though it wasn’t really over, I remember thinking, “It’s over.” I pulled up to Starbucks and, to my surprise and delight, was handed my drink in a festive holiday cup- the first one of the season. I remember thinking: “I’ll remember this day.” And I do. I remember sitting outside (indoor seating was closed, of course), looking at my holiday cup, and letting elation wash over me.
Another such day occurred a few years ago on Halloween. My daughter was in elementary school, and the kids wore their costumes to school. Parents were able to attend the “costume parade’ in the morning. My daughter was in third grade- such a fun year, where the kids are still young enough to be excited about costumes and trick-or-treating.
After the parade, I went to Barnes and Noble, and there were already Christmas decorations up in the parking lot. Yes, Halloween is a little early for that, but it didn’t bother me. I went into the bookstore and while I sat at a table sipping my tea, the pleasure of seeing my daughter in the costume parade combined with the anticipation of Christmas coming up- and I thought “this is the best day of the whole season.” You know what? When I look back on it, that really was the best day.
I hope yesterday wasn’t the best day of the whole season for me- there are still so many fun things coming up. But you never know- I’ve discovered that the “best” days usually aren’t the ones you plan on. For me it’s more likely to be a day where things unexpectedly come together.
It’s like running. You can’t really plan to have a great run. You can do everything in your power to make it great, but usually it’s those days where it just happens. High expectations can lead to disappointment, so once again, the best days are unexpected.
My goal for this season is to- as much as possible- drop any notions about how I want things to be, or how they should be, and just let them be. Maybe if I just let them unfold, I’ll have not one, but many, many “best” days of the season to look back on. And runs. Lots and lots of “best” runs.
How about you- do you have days that stand out in your memory like that?
12 Responses
Oh I love this post and this philosophy! It really is true that sometimes the very best days are unexpected. Right now I am enjoying the in-between feeling of fall, with no imminent holidays. But I enjoy so much reading about other people who are FULL INTO CHRISTMAS already. It’s like a little jolt of Christmas cheer when I’m not quite ready to go all-in myself.
Actually I think you hit the nail on the head- I love the in-between feeling. We’re starting to see Christmas stuff, but it’s not really time yet… i love that.
It’s strange, isn’t it, how some days stick to your memory like that (often days that you least expected to be so memorable).
I definitely have a few memories like that.
And I think your attitude is right on: sometimes you just have things play out, the best memories happen when we didn’t really plan for them in advance.
It’s taken me a few years (like 55) but I’m learning!
Yesss, I love this attitude! A lot of times, it’s those little moments that mean the most and stick with us the longest. Usually, the stuff we plan to make the “best whatever ever” fall very short of our expectations. Just enjoy the little moments! A good philosophy. 🙂
I’m really going to try to embrace it this holiday season. I want to enjoy it as much as possible!
Getting older I have always more beautiful moments to remember and in those memories there are always the loved ones.
Interesting that you mention that, because after I wrote that I realized both of my “best” moments were solitary experiences. I think my memories with family and friends don’t stand out as much because while I enjoy them, I don’t have the opportunity for reflection- I’m just totally engrossed in what’s going on.
Great attitude. I realize these days that life is short and we don’t know how short. So we have to enjoy everyday. And every run. Every race.
Yes- getting older really drives it home that our days are numbered. It doesn’t make sense not to enjoy them to the fullest!
I have to think about if I have “best days” I have some best moments but I am not sure what else happened that day. And right now I am a bit tired so I can’t think about it now. But I keep that thought for later. Its great that you do remember those days. And as so often in live it is the little things that stand out, right?
Yes, it’s really true- it’s the little things. I remember the feelings of those little things more than the big occasions.