Some days it feels like I am too busy to think deeply about anything other than what I want for lunch and then dinner. This was one of the busiest summers I’ve ever had and it’s actually full speed ahead going into fall. I mentioned this before, but I really am making a concerted effort to stop and enjoy each weekend and each moment.
I’m one of those sappy emotional types that probably think too deeply about pretty much everything, but every now and then it feels kind of good. I had one of those days yesterday.
As you know this Sunday was the 15th anniversary of 9/11. I was checking my phone and saw that my old 7th grade teacher posted something on my Facebook timeline. At first when I saw the notification I thought it was a mistake or a candy crush invite, but then I quickly realized what it was all about.
15 years ago on that horrible day she had been babysitting my sister and I while my parents were on a business trip in Cape Cod. As I’m sure you do too, I know exactly where I was when I heard the news. I was in 9th grade in my first class of the day and someone ran in to tell us to turn on the TV. The first tower had just gone down and we sat there in silence watching the horrifying tragedy unfold before our eyes. Moving to New York City and now living just a short distance away from where the twin towers once stood not only makes that day hit a lot closer to home, but there are so many people I know now who lost loved ones and friends that day. I remember finding my sister at school and getting a hug from her and just wanting to hear our parents’ voices. We didn’t hear from them right away because they had been flying through Boston and everything was obviously chaotic, but that phone call and the hugs we got when they finally made it home were some of the most comforting of my life.
Living far away from your family helps keep things in perspective a bit more, but I can still always do a better job. It’s easy to get in your routine when you come home from work tired, don’t actually want to speak to other humans, or just feel like you’re so freakin’ busy. You know how it goes. I’m more of a phone person than most, but it’s not the same as face-to-face chats.
I promised myself this year I would take more time to be and spend less time looking down (at my phone, computer, etc.). To spend time more conversing and less time scrolling. I love at the end of a weekend when I have no idea what anyone else did because I was so caught up in enjoying my own plans, whatever they were.
I’m going to be in Orlando for the next 3 days with my family on a trip that I know will be one for the books. My little nephew (and best friend) is getting to go to Disney World for the first time with his grandparents, parents and Aunt Cici… all together. I was thinking about the look on his face tomorrow when we get there and how excited he’s going to be and also how special it is that we all get to do this as a family. We all take so many things for granted on a regular basis, so this is a little reminder to tell your loved ones just how much you love them… hug your parents for the sacrifices they’ve made… we all have so much to be grateful for.