Pink Cadillac

This past Sunday, my son had a basketball game at an ungodly early hour. Previously, this would have been reason to bitch and moan, but I'm proud to have noted that I didn't react that way. I didn't love dragging us both out of bed so early on a Sunday, but big deal; the weather was crisp, sunny, and glorious. I enjoyed the drive, watching the leaves begin to turn. My son was going to get physical activity. I had surgery three weeks ago, and felt grateful that I was able to move my body with ease to get out of bed. I was tired but calm, no foggy morning grumpiness. It's continuously gratifying to notice my increasingly relaxed responses to situations.

Recently, I was invited to a small birthday gathering for a close friend, that was being planned by someone else. I didn't want to go, so I politely declined, having in mind how I'd alternatively celebrate the birthday girl, whom I love dearly. I again noticed my appropriate response, which felt good. Rather than listing all the reasons why I didn't want to go, but probably going anyway lest the others in the group think ill of me, I simply said, "no thank you, I'll do something else, but have fun". That was it, no fuss no muss. I would have given a whole whiny song and dance in days of yore. No mas. Simplicity feels good.

 On the way home from the basketball game, we passed a little local museum that honors this quaint Jersey town. Chicks dig quaint! The museum was having an outdoor vintage Cadillac show. No way we weren't going! We jumped out to take a look. There was no charge, and there were sweet volunteers offering coffee and bagels. Local car enthusiasts were pulling in to proudly show off their collectors automobiles. People with a passion who just wanted to share their beloved hobby with others. No technology, no hashtags, no snapchats. I made my son and his friend leave their phones in the car, promising I'd be the photographer. I hate those phones, Man. Seeing my kids with them drives me nuts, especially since I know they enjoy life without them. I mean, so do I, and I have to pry my phone out of my hands also, which fills me with self loathing. I'm so much happier without it, but my music is on it, I write on it, blah blah blah, so there's always reasons to keep it with me. Still, I'm calmer without it. The pull these devices has on us it poisonous. Which is why I was so thrilled to partake in this wholesome, interesting, historical car show.

Of course the boys loved it🚗🚗. Men and cars😎. They loved the history, seeing cars from different eras. It was funny to hear them talk about how the 80's and 50's are interchangeable. Any year beginning with a 19 is just foreign to them. But we looked at the evolution of the vehicles, noting size, design etc. They got to sit in one. My favorite part about this activity was that it was spontaneous. There is no one that doesn't get a thrill from the unplanned. It's moments like these that can boost your entire mood, and make your whole day feel genuinely  productive. Had I been so focused on the early hour, or any other point of kvetchy negativity, I'd have missed this little gem of a display. Enjoying an outdoor activity on a beautiful Fall day is such a gift. What a way to start our morning🍂🍁🌞. I'm naturally a spontaneous person, who had been living a life utterly lacking in spontaneity. It didn't jive with me, but we get stuck in routine. That's over with. Freedom of mind, something I'm always working on, means freedom of being. Free to explore life's unexpected joys. At one point I squeezed my son and said, "with mommy it's always an adventure, right?" He looked at me sweetly, giggled, and agreed. I thought back to how I promised myself a year and a half ago, that I'd be the most interesting woman my kids ever knew. I'm proud that I am now living a life that honors that promise. With clear eyes, we are able to see what opportunities life has to constantly offer us👀. Try not to miss anything. Sight that brings spontaneous simplicity is so special.

Have a great day,

LB 🍂🍁🌼🌰🌻