You Just Wouldn’t Believe It!

I know, everyone thinks their leaf-peeping season is the best – but they’re all wrong, unless you’re in New Jersey.  I’ve seen trees turn colors before, but I’ve never seen the riotous colors that adorn every hill and dale I pass through. 

I took myself to a bone density test this morning, in the spirit of staying strong and healthy for many years to come.  I parked on the roof of the medical center, and as I exited my car, I was absolutely blown away by the view of every color of tree, all just standing there, waiting to be noticed.  So I took the time to notice them.  What richness and delight!

In other news, tomorrow I’m heading back to my sister’s home in MN for my 2nd annual Halloween Party (they have had them for many, many years, but I’m still new).  My youngest daughter is coming for her inaugural party there, and we are all planning to have a delicious and delightful time.  I can hardly wait!

Right after that, I fly to Orlando for a big planning meeting for work.  I’m beyond excited because I love people, and I love people who do what I do. It will be a fun and educating experience, I’m sure. But the coolest thing of all?  I get to be exactly who I am and want to be.  No one knows the ‘old Laura’.  No one has any expectations of who I am or how I’ll act or what I’ll wear.  The anonymity of this time of life is positively intoxicating!

I’ve carefully planned out my outfits, jewelry, accessories – very minimal because I hate lugging luggage.  I intend to be the fabulously dressed, stylish, incredibly chic woman who manages the NYC and Northern NJ departments – because that’s who I am!

It is interesting having grown up in Small Lake City, where everyone knew me, and I knew everyone. And they didn’t know me just as a grown-up, a bunch of people knew me from when I was 4-5 years old, as we all went to school together our entire lives.  So they have memories of losing baby teeth me, headgear and braces me, 80’s mullet-hair me, rebellious me, not liking school me, not rich like they were me, not popular me, and not the ‘right religion’ me. 

When you’re young, and working hard to realize who you are and what you want, there are so many outside factors that swirl around, influencing you in this direction and that – opening and slamming doors in your face.  Once you survive the teenage years, well, I jumped right into marriage years and baby years and the rest we all know.

Now that I’m 58, I’m taking advantage of the solitariness of this time. Not to fret or be sad, but to reflect, be still and filled with gratitude.  Sometimes I just stare into the distance just to relish the beauty that is all around me, and smile that I’ve got the time, the space, and the awareness to do it.

I’m pickier than I used to be, about whom I am willing to spend time with and energy on. I have honed the friend group again to a few shining stars, and the acquaintance group continues to grow naturally.

What a lovely fall it is, replete with nature’s riches.  You just wouldn’t believe it!