saving up

I've been in a swirl of activity.  

Within one week's time:

 I attended my cousin's daughter's wedding and spent a fun evening with lots of family.

 Celebrated a friend's birthday.

 Had a wonderful girl's night out and dinner with two fun friends.

Drove to Minneapolis for a day with Nolan and Rick.

Spent a Friday night shopping, with Nolan, at the Mall of America. We bonded over Birkenstocks. 

Attended a viewing of a documentary I was honored to be in.

Spent the most beautiful and perfect lake day at a friend's lake cabin.

Had cousins visit from Alaska...

Took oodles of pictures- way more than I can possibly share.

Then my feet came back down to earth as I detoured through Roger Maris for Infusion on Tuesday.  I've been knocked back a bit ever since.  Tired, achy, and nauseous- with a swollen hand leaving me inept at typing again.

So I've been reflective too...

Many years ago I heard sage advice from my uncle Emery.  Isn't it funny how we never know what words uttered might be the ones remembered?

Uncle Emery told stories that made you laugh until your sides hurt.  With his thick Norwegian accent he could tell you the funniest Ole and Lena jokes.  He was a master entertainer and we loved going to  my uncle and aunt's house for the holiday celebrations.

Sadly, just months after he retired many years ago,  Emery was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.  Rick and I lived in Idaho during this time.  Through the phone my mom would relay the news in bits and pieces.

As his time here on earth waned, he grew more quiet, and had Hospice nurses helping to take care of him.  My mom said the silence was utterly devastating... until that last time he spoke.

In fact, Emery had a resurgence.  And asked if the pastor could come- to sing hymns.  So the family gathered round the bed and to everyone's disbelief, a beautiful, strong voice emerged, one they hadn't heard before.  Mom could only shake her head in wonderment  as she discovered the voice singing was Emery's.

Finally, someone had to ask.  Emery?  All these years, and we never knew you could sing like that?

I can practically hear the words coming from his mouth, myself.

That thick Norwegian lilt to his voice, "Well, dontcha know, I've been saving up!"

Oh the laughter that ensued!  Leave it to my uncle to leave them all with laugher on their lips, and tears in their eyes.  We knew the treasure we were losing during that time.


But those words stayed.  I realized not long ago- its exactly what I do as well.  I've been saving up for these days- like the ones from above.

I spent so much time in bed this past year.  Weak.  Sad.  Dull.  Longing.  For these days.

And now I'm stringing together all my words, to ensure, I'm living it up good!

I'm:

 Embracing.  Choosing.  Reaching.  Becoming.  Connecting.

Living my moments full.

Living my legacy.

I have this deep-seated resolve- to live all my moments, while I still have them.

I've been "saving up, dontcha know."