I received an email early this morning. It wasn't a bad email at all. In fact, if I were to share the email, most of you would be confused as to why it sent me spiraling downward into ugly crying. I'm not going to share the email. Or the details. Or the history as to why this email jabbed at my heartstrings. What I will share is that it reflected one of the many human qualities that I despise.
I allowed myself to have my moment. The kids were glued to my side because they knew I was sad. Lisa's face was blank because she doesn't like it when I'm hurt or someone or a situation temporarily gets the best of me.
By late morning, I collected myself. I was still hurt and sad, but I wasn't going to allow that person or that situation ruin our day.
Not only does Lisa have Monday off to make this weekend a 3-day weekend, we're also having one of our neighbor friends, June, over for dinner.
It's been a long time since we've had her over for dinner. We met her the day we moved into our home in July of 2012. Over the years, she's one of several neighbor friends who have become family to us.
She absolutely adores our kids.
Lisa ran a couple of errands while I tended to household chores and prepped the food for our dinner. I made my gorgeous homemade mango barbecue sauce to marinate boneless chicken breasts and kielbasa with. In addition, I prepped garlic and herb potatoes. All would be cooked on the grill compliments of Lisa.
To accompany Lisa's incredible grilled fare, I made a colorful salad with lots of vegetables and my homemade dill dressing. I sautéed fresh corn from the cob with butter, salt, and pepper. As a treat, I made chocolate covered strawberries.
A few hours before dinner, we were invited to join June and her son and daughter-in-law across the street for an evening backyard fire with cocktails and S'mores.
We accepted the invite.
Dinner was ah-may-zing. The food was absolutely delicious. The frozen margaritas I whipped up in the blender tasted awesome with dinner. Lots of laughs and great conversation.
I'm not going to lie and say I did cartwheels across the street, farting rainbows and throwing glitter when the backyard fire festivities began. Truth is, I became aware of another situation radiating several human qualities that I have an aversion to between the morning email and before dinner.
I had a little moment shortly before our after dinner plans. Lisa and I talked about it. She was feeling it too.
About an hour after dinner, we headed over for the backyard fire. I brought the platter of gourmet chocolate covered strawberries that I had made earlier. They were a hit.
I also feasted on my first S'mores of the season.
Our mood went from slightly grim and hurt to jovial. Our spirits were lifted. We met new people and shared treats and stories and laughs. The full 'Flower' moon rose above the tallest tree. And, later into the evening, we got instructions and some free materials to build a kick ass fire pit in our backyard.
We stayed until a little after midnight.
I tucked Lisa and the kids into bed a short while ago. I'm not tired enough to fall asleep yet. As I cleaned the kitchen and curled up on the sofa, I reflected on this entire day.
Some of it was planned. Some of it wasn't.
The email I received and the other situation was not anticipated but at this point, it didn't surprise us. I had my moments. Lisa did too. Often times, we deal with situations differently.
I know I use the "at the end of the day" expression a lot.
I'm going to use it again.
At the end of the day, we chose to focus on the positive.
You can't change people. You can't change how they treat you or what they do or what they allow or how they choose to behave. Or, the effort they choose to put into the various relationships in their life.
The only thing you can change is how you react to it. What you allow. What you tolerate.
You can also take notice to the Universe's shimmy shakes and shifts.
I needed tonight. I'm willing to bet that Lisa did too.
The Universe knew that.
It was a really great evening for so many reasons.
Much needed.
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