Little Bit of Life
Listening to the radio on the way back into town yesterday afternoon, I heard the country song – Little Bit of Life. It’s a cute song Craig Morgan sings about all the simple things in life that he savors as a hard working country boy.
Not sure about you, but my life these past three weeks has been in the fast lane. I’ve been involved in the usual holiday gatherings and time with people I care about and who care about me. In addition to that, there have been a number of book signings and visits with folks regarding my new book…and that is on top of my fulltime job.
As I’ve visited with folks at the book signings, there has been something that stood out at each one. That has turned out to be a given at each one of the signings, so I now head out anxious to find out what the next visit will hold.
For instance, the first book signing I went to at a local bookstore had none of my books when I got there. That was funny, but it worked out ok since I had some in the trunk of my car. It’s the “have books will travel” philosophy…always be prepared or have a “plan b.” I learned that from being an educator.
The next book signing was at a church. Once I arrived and got settled in, a nurse friend greeted me as she said “Have you had your flu shot yet?” When I explained that I’d just been too busy to get it, she invited me to have it there. I laugh when I think that I was signing my books and getting the flu shot all in one felt swoop!
I won’t bore you with all the stories, but the one yesterday is worth mentioning here.
I was in Lancaster at a church – some 70 miles from my home – and a father and son came in together. Stephen had been a young boy when I was living in that town 25 years ago. He and his family were friends of ours and his brother had actually lived with my husband and I one fall as he awaited entry into Duke University that following January. His family was moving up North and he wanted to stay in town and work until he could go on to Duke. We loved having him with us those months. It was like a “practice” before having our own family.
The boys’ mother has since died and Stephen and his Dad moved back to Lancaster to settle there after the father retired.
Of all the many stories and updates I heard that day in the church, Stephen’s was the most memorable to me.
He explained he had been listening to the radio several months ago and heard my voice. I was the winner of tickets to a game that night in Charlotte. We laughed when I told him I wasn’t even sure what “game” the tickets were for but I had nothing better to do that night so I decided I would be able to go and called in… not knowing what kind of sports event it was. Turned out it was professional women’s basketball and the tickets were to sit on the court with the players. My son was very appreciative I asked him to go with me when he found out and we had a blast.
Steven told his father about hearing me on the radio that day. Since we live 70 miles apart, his father just assumed he must be mistaken. Truth is, there aren’t many radio stations you can hear from that distance generally speaking. On top of that, I was amazed Stephen was listening that day to my local station I had randomly tuned in on at the same time.
Yes, it’s the little things we can celebrate when life is whirling around us. For me, that book signing, which was one of the most pleasant I have been to thus far, will have some fond memories…especially of Stephen, his story and the visit we had for that short time.
My wish for you today is that you savor a little bit of life as often as you can – embracing the simple things along the way. It’s some of those events that will enrich your life and fill your mind with the positive memories you can enjoy forever.
~Joellen