Oops … Overload Strike!
My friend told me her mother’s memorial service was on June 23. Somehow the month, “June,” didn’t register, but the 23rd did. Don and I were scheduled to leave for a grandson’s graduation in Idaho on the 24th. “I’m so glad we can attend before we leave.” We drove an hour over the hill to Cupertino two Wednesdays ago and were surprised the church parking lot was so empty. Surely there would be more people present to celebrate the life of our dear friend, June McCuistion. Where were they? We saw only a few employees around, and in some trepidation walked up to the front doors of the church, which were closed but not locked. Opening them, we looked into a dark sanctuary!
Don and I looked at each other. Oh, my, did I get the wrong church? The wrong time?
Pulling out my phone, I was about to check back in my messages when a lady stepped out of an office.
“Are you looking for June M…” I finished her sentence. “McCuistion. Yes.”
“It’s June 23rd,” she responded. “You’re the second couple who’s been here today.”
Oh my. At least we weren’t alone in our mistake. We could have gotten annoyed with each other (or especially, Don with me!). I’d made several faux pas in the last three weeks, and I could have been down on myself. Well, I was … a little. But we managed to laugh at ourselves, and enjoy the time together as we drove back home. And we’ll return on June 23rd for the REAL service!
I’d had a lot on my mind … meetings with contractors, preparing for our trips to Mexico and Idaho, for social engagements, for upcoming guests coming our way, and for our planned Fall move. Overload! And then things, like the month of a service, slipped through the cracks of my overcrowded brain cells.
Have you done that? I’d love to hear some silly thing you did when you had too much going on.
We are delighted to be home again and to have no trips planned in the next months. As Don planted flowers and leveled a birdbath yesterday afternoon, I took him some iced tea. We sat together on our porch glider, enjoying the beauty and open space that are our view. Variegated shades of green in grass, trees and shrubs; multi-colored flowers; white fences; and the stillness spoke to us of peace and rest. I felt a great sense of contentment as my honey and I held hands and talked. Once again I’m reminded how critical it is in the midst of our demanding lives (yes, even as retirees) to stop and enjoy the beauty of God’s creation, to sit with those we love and enjoy each day as a gift. And I’m a better person for stopping to enjoy the moment.
“The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place. (Mark 6:30-32)
If even Jesus’ disciples needed to stop and rest, to get away from the busyness of life, how much more do we need to “come apart” for times of refreshing.
May you be renewed with quietness in Jesus’ presence this week!
Carol, I chuckled when I read your post this week. I remember years ago driving quite a distance for a speaking engagement, only to discover it was one day later. I turned around, drove home, and then returned the following day, using my experience as a great anecdote for my presentation.