Day 3,598

Growth:

Had a great learning reminder at church of how important it is to stay focused outside of myself. The entire sermon and the readings were reminders of how little we actually need and how the wrong choices can sometimes lead to additional stress we really don’t need to have and could have completely avoided by keeping our mind in the right place the first time.

So often we lean into other “things” to bring joy when we really can find it outside of ourselves.

Appreciation:

An entire day at home??? Yes please!!! Okay, so we did leave to go for a walk and we also went to church, but outside of that we were home all day long. Nice getting some of the basics done (a little work around the house, a little prep work for the workweek) while also having plenty of time to chill and relax. Nothing like time away from home to make me appreciate it even more!

Presence:

Gotta love when a song pops into your head out of the blue and you then immediately chase it up with a couple of other unexpected gems! While cooking supper I stumbled into a little Pandora perfection:

• Laid by James
• I Melt with You by Modern English
• Here Comes Your man by Pixies

Thanks!!!

Day 3,597

Whew!!! Over the past month I’ve been in over a third of the states of the US, put on a ton of miles, and slept in my own bed well about 33% of the month. I’m so tired that I fell asleep in the car as we drove back from the airport today (super glad Gavin was driving!). We’ve had a lot of fun, made a ton of memories, and learned a lot about half a dozen schools that Gavin will likely be applying to. I would not trade all of these experiences for anything.

All that said, I cannot wait to get back into a normal schedule and routine. I travel often, but it is usually spread out across several months, not usually this condensed. For the next five or six months at least I have no travel plans taking out of my usual routine. Normally that’d have me jonesing for a trip, but right now that sounds perfect. Off to bed, back to regularity!

Thanks!!!

Day 3,596

Growth:

I may not know what the current TV shows or movies are, but I am more current on books than I thought! Over the past couple of weeks we’ve been in several bookstores and I’ve had to smile at how many titles I’ve already taken in. When in doubt, pick up a book.

Appreciation & Presence:

Our trip to Muir Woods after our tour at Cal Berkeley was awesome! This was my third trip there and I was in just as deep a state of awe as I was the first time. So calming in woods amongst the trees which have stood for well over a thousand years. A cathedral of trees, silent sentinels.

Thanks!!!

Day 3,595

Growth:

Throughout our tour of Stanford today there were ongoing reminders of how often we grow as a result of challenging situations. That’s where the growth really escalates!

Appreciation:

Whew, a relatively quiet night without much driving! Nice having the opportunity to take a deep breath and get an excellent night of sleep.

Also – very grateful for the tour of Stanford today, the single most beautiful campus I’ve ever set foot on! Mountains in the background, incredible architecture, so many trees, and an overwhelming sense of history and accomplishment emanating from the grounds.

Presence:

Hearing Gavin share his career goals and the why behind them may have brought a little tear to my eyes today!

Thanks!!!

Day 3,594

Growth:

Over the past few years I’ve continued to save some of the quotes that really caught my interest. Quite often it’s a lesson to remember, sometimes it’s a reminder of a lesson learned, and other times it seems as if it is a quote I will appreciate in the future.

What’s interesting is that each time I add a new one I take time to walk through many of the previously recorded quotes. My catalog has become a tool to keep so many of those quotes fresh in my brain.

The one that stuck out for me this last time was:

“There was loneliness, too, as the sun set, but only rarely now did doubts return. Then I felt sinkingly as if my whole life lay behind me. Once on the mountain I knew (or trusted) that this would give way to total absorption with the task at hand. But at times I wondered if I had not come a long way only to find that what I really sought was something I had left behind.”

Thomas F. Hornbein

Appreciation:

So interesting to see how different the learning environments are from college to college! At CalTech today my mind was blown over and over and over again as we toured campus and took in the admissions presentation. The focus on learning WITH others, the focus on learning HOW TO LEARN, and all of the opportunities for community while furthering research was outstanding! All of these college visits have been so eye opening to see the difference between my college experiences and the likely college experience Gavin will have. Wowza!

Presence:

A quiet moment of calm while looking out a window down to the Canyonlands area near Moab 10,000’ below me. Headphones in, chill music playing. Not doing anything but enjoying the moment and stunning view.

Thanks!!!

Day 3,593

Growth:

This quote really hit me today:

Every atrocity in history began with someone deciding who counts as human.

@ SHARONSAYSSO

Appreciation:

Seeing the path forward, the goal starts to appear. Through the past six weeks it’s been wild to observe the retreat of the fog of war, a clearing of the way. So many steps taken, so many more to go, but the end is both visible and looks better than expected.

Presence:

An engaging conversation with two new friends, opening up, sharing thoughts, and setting a path. Time flew by in a flash as I was in a perfect state of flow.

Thanks!!!

Day 3,592

Growth:

The right people bring out the best in others, which in turn brings out the best in them. Awesome to see in action!

Appreciation:

On our roadtrip to Canada Gavin found an online Catan that we can play online with Dominic when an opportunity arises. To quote Dexter, “tonight’s the night!”

Fun being able to play games from hours away and have a good time together!

Presence:

Had an excellent conversation with my brother today on the drive home. Super grateful for an engaging back and forth largely focused on catching up on what’s going on with our kids, a great time for sure!

Thanks!!!

Day 3,590

Very short one, just got home, time to crash after fifteen-ish hours in the car today (& a total of 40+ over the past four days)…

Nothing like being gone to remind you to appreciate the time you have at home, or sleeping in your own bed, or living your normal routine.

Glad for the experiences we had, grateful to be home!

Thanks!!!

Day 3,589

Growth:

When in doubt, walk. The three of us walked a couple miles from our hotel to the Harvard campus, all over campus, and then back to the hotel. We then walked to MIT, walked all over campus, took a walking tour, and walked back to the car.

Not only was the physical activity rewarding in of itself, but we also had more time together without phones or screens in front of us. So much engaging conversation!

Appreciation:

Three colleges in just over 24 hours (and seven states in one day).

Very grateful for the opportunity to experience each of these schools with Gavin as he starts to decide place he’ll choose to start the next stage of his education. So many conversations on what’s important, finances, and life. Wonderful experience!

Presence:

Gavin and I had the opportunity to have a very deep conversation about privilege, equity, and treating everyone with love. Very much unexpected, but a wonderful opportunity for us to talk and share thoughts and ideas. Great moment, lots of positive and respectful conflict – within ourselves rather than with each other.

Thanks!!!