I contemplate and write about living authentically and fully through both the magical moments and the messy ones. All of it. And everything in between.
The world often seems to offers up more of the messy moments. And sad ones too.
It’s important to notice the good news when we can. Here’s my brief offering for today. A few observations from the events of the week.
On Tuesday, I had dinner with a group of former coworkers. One’s about to have a baby, and another is planning for retirement in several months. Isn’t it beautiful to have friends at different ages and stages? Isn’t it lovely to wholeheartedly celebrate each other at different points and milestones along the way?
On Wednesday, my sister and I saw author Ann Patchett at the Oriental Theatre, hosted by Boswell Books. If you don’t know, Patchett also owns Parnassus Books in Nashville. She talked a bit about her own books and writing and a lot about being a bookstore owner and bookseller. Isn’t it fantastic that thriving independent theatres and bookstores still exist in this world of online shopping, big box stores, and streaming services? Isn’t wonderful that an author of literary fiction can draw a crowd in the age of influencers and social media? (P.S. Patchett isn’t on social media herself. In fact, she doesn’t even own a cell phone.)
On Friday it was unseasonably warm, and we took a walk mid-morning. There were so, so many people fishing in the Milwaukee River. Isn’t it great news that the city’s rivers are now cleaner and healthier than they’ve been in a long time?
In my day job, I work with undergrads studying to be teachers. Last week, some of them joyfully celebrated the children they tutored this past semester. Today my husband and I watched our daughter’s friend and other students at another local university in a riveting play production. Isn’t inspiring that young people are enthusiastically studying to be teachers and artists?
Lastly, I wrote out some holiday cards this week. As I did so, I thought happily of the people behind the addresses on the envelopes. Aren’t we fortunate to cross paths with all the people who touch our lives in so many ways - from college roommates to former colleagues to family near and far to friends both lifelong and recent?
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I hope this made you think of good news you observed in your own life or your community recently. If you feel inclined, please share in the comments.
Thanks for reading!
Gratefully,
Mary
Aww, I love this mom!
I'll piggyback on the beauty of celebrating milestones with friends in all stages of life. This week I celebrated via text messages with two friends whose young daughters celebrated birthdays (2 years old and 7 years old.) So precious to see these moms beaming and basking in the parenting! This week, also by text, I communicated with a friend who is celebrating 50 years of marriage. What a feat! And what a joy to be able to "be" with her in this sweet moment. As much as technology is a headache for me, it also affords me these heartfelt connections.