Life has a way of keeping on, even if we travel the fast pace, or if we choose to sit on the sidelines.

This month I’ve been striving to do what is most important in an ever-long list of urgent to-dos. And I’ve also been trying to take advantage of downtime. It isn’t easy. Life is fluid, and what initially seems important evolves and eventually falls down the list of priorities as other things rise to the top. I can think of three things that have recently taken precedent in my life. My relationships with the most important people around me. The ever-daunting task of tax paperwork. And finding a homeowner insurance policy. Can you see my eyes bug out on that last one?

Knocking Out Tasks

Before I talk about that which is most dear to my heart, let me say that thankfully my prep work on our taxes is done and ready to turn into our tax preparer. We had planned on a trip to the city today to drop it off but rainstorms changed that idea. Therefore, I’m taking advantage of my newly-found time to write this blog post and do some final edits on my current work-in-progress before sending off to my remaining reading/editing team. We will try again for next week and hope our taxes can be done before tax day.

I’ll also be getting a jump on laundry now instead of waiting for tomorrow, a day which may bring something else which I may not want to be tied down doing chores. I’m always so grateful when things free up on my calendar. Sure, it can be scary for a person who functions best on routine and solid structure. But, as I’ve mentioned before, flexibility is a great trait to acquire in times like this.

Searching Out Insurance

Next, I’ve been working with a recommended insurance company to locate a policy for what I keep hearing is a unique situation for us. Imagine that? Our little casita is unique. Well, I knew it, of course, but also hearing it from insurance agents is a really nice feeling, lol. Anyway, we are in discussion with one company and hoping their underwriting will give us a break and insure us. We are ninety to ninety-nine percent complete on the exterior, which is one of the holdups.

The second holdup is our heating options. We currently use space heaters and planned to install a split-unit before next winter. But, it looks like we may need to do this much sooner. I’m great with it, anything to be more complete with the whole process. Thankfully, the interior doesn’t need to be complete, and we can finish that up as we get to it.

If you’re wondering what remains to be completed, we still need to install the utility door, trim for all doors, finish out the remaining floorboards, finish side of the short wall between the kitchen and living room which supports a countertop with sink, tile the backsplash, and install the vent hood. I do what I can to help hubs, like sanding and painting trim, helping to hold things for him, and making supply runs with him. But, mainly, I practice a lot of patience (lol), as I want it all done so we can get started on my office next.

The Importance of Relationships

Last, but certainly not least, sometimes the unexpected can hit a person in a way that wakes them up and clears the cobwebs. What I mean here is that when we live busy lives, we may not realize it, but we can lose touch with those sitting right next to us or who we profess to be the most important person or persons in our life. When we are so busy that we don’t really communicate about certain things, we can be shocked when those things – what once was little but now big – come to the surface and erupt in the most surprising of ways. It’s like a lightening bolt right through your heart or soul, leaving you reeling with a sense of ‘what just happened here?’ and wondering what we missed along the way.

Out of respect for my loved ones, I can’t and won’t say much about what happened. And, obviously, I cannot say anything about what will happen, as no one can tell what the future holds. But it is my hope and prayer that all will work out for the best. I’ve experienced a lot of family disconnect in my life, particularly in my late teens and early twenties. And, during my marriage, I strove to raise my small family to be loving, kind, and generous.

Recently though, I have learned that there are levels of humanness for which no one can control or even anticipate. When one person holds resentment and keeps it close, when this person believes their own dialogue and doesn’t make conversation about anything that confuses or troubles them, it can come out poorly. Add in another person who may know their fallibilities but has their limits, and another person who can be almost too complacent. And myself who has learned to let things fall where they may once the motion starts. Well, the outcome can be less than desirable for all those involved.

It is with great humbleness and gratefulness to still be connected to everyone, yet it breaks my heart that three of the most important people to me in this world are at odds with one another. Each one feels they are right. No one is willing to bend. And I can only hope and pray that time will change their hearts and each one can let the other back in.

Gratefulness All Around

Ultimately, I am truly blessed. And, in this month of March, despite the unexpectedness of humanness and a lapse in our homeowner insurance, I have so much to be grateful for. I have a loving and generous husband, a son who makes my heart overflow with joy, a daughter-in-love who I wouldn’t trade for another, two of the sweetest grandchildren ever, and numerous friends and family whom I thank God for every day. My only wish is that we all take more time to reach out to one another. In a world of boundless opportunities for communication, it seems we communicate less and less.

So, my goal for March – and here on out – is to start writing letters and emails again and sending more greeting cards and texts. My life is still pretty discombobulated. But it doesn’t have to be. Already my mind has been tossing around ideas on how to incorporate my writing and greeting card supplies into my bookshelves or bedroom closet.

What is one thing you can do to bring my joy and gratefulness into your immediate life?

Love & hugs,

Virg