Thursday, July 20, 2017

Fireworks - Take Two

This post was originally published in July 2010, but I find the sentiment still rings true. I have made some updates to reflect the changes in the constellation of my life over the past seven years, but thought this entry was well-suited to kick off the blog after a six month respite. Enjoy!


I couldn't find a fireworks pic, but thought this beach sunset could stand in!

Fireworks
On my way home from Terri's one Fourth of July a few years ago, I saw brilliant explosions of color and light through my windshield and in my rearview mirror. I was surrounded by fireworks. And it was awesome.

It got me thinking about how many bright, scary, fun and always surprising explosions happen in our lives all the time.

Savannah graduating from high school. (Then college, then getting a big Director of Communications job and traveling to foreign lands like Colombia and Australia all by herself.)

Savannah's graduation from the U!


Gabi's irresistible snicker at an "adult" joke she just shouldn't get. (And turning into an adult who knows who he is [TYLER], who has weathered impossible storms like a pro and who can to grab a beer with me at The Local.)
Momma & Tyler
A puppy nuzzling my neck. (Living with TWO dogs and finding out I secretly love it.)

                             
                                                Lucas
                                               &
                                                Alexis (RIP 6.20.16)


Seeing Bachelor #2 drive by me smiling and waving in the Kaysville 4th of July Parade. (Finding the right guy for me at my brother's wedding and getting engaged in the company of sea turtles on a Hawaiian beach.)

The sea turtles on the beach!

The ring!

The guy!

A bevy of young, 20-something guys vying for my affections. (This would still be totally awesome, but the vying has most definitely cooled.)

Terri's mom having emergency exploratory surgery to find the source of internal bleeding after a "routine" operation. (Discovering the frailties of all of our parents, and starting to see them in ourselves.)

The surge of support and love triggered by a text message prayer chain. (AMEN!)

Every day we have many "fireworks" moments. Moments that cannot be ignored. That call us to full attention--whether in awe, in excitement, in happiness, in fear, in gratitude, in anger, in sorrow or in laughter.

The form and delivery of these everyday explosions are varied and often unexpected, but what can be relied upon is that they will happen. It can be that touch on your hand that still feels thrilling after years of marriage or that accidental glimpse of your child being completely themselves when they think no one is looking.

It can be an inexplicable feeling of calm in the middle of a furious emotional storm that you fear may overtake you. Or the simple joy of breathing in the air after a rainstorm.

Some days we are searching for miracles
                                            and others they just show up,

                        out of the night sky,

                                                  in our rearview mirror.