A Process

The light through the blinds was evidence that a cloudless night was being illuminated by a multitude of stars. Though sound asleep just a few minutes prior, this unwilling possessor of Parkinson’s was now profusely pondering all things that had not been pondered sufficiently during daylight hours. Tossing and turning to gain that singular cozy position under the covers on this chilly night did little to quell the wandering and now wide awake mind from its search for solutions to created problems not worthy of “normal” day time. Frustrated that neither prayers nor intentional thought aversion were leading back to longed for slumber, the now wide awake obsessed one made the choice to rise and begin the day. Still two hours shy of sunrise, routine morning consumption of daily medications was commenced. With fire stoked in the old wood stove, and coffee ready for the brewing, even Gracie the Golden was not to be lured from her evening reprieve as she snuggled feet to chin on her generously cushioned bed. Warmly positioned in the den recliner and vigorously absorbing the morning reading, I paused to reflect on the last few days. In the midst of tasks, errands, appointments and moments of rest I had begun to understand that living is less like an event and more like a process. For some, that may not be a revelation, but for this participant, it was a series of thoughts worthy of giving thanks for their occurrence. Over the years there have been innumerable events that I would have previously deemed noteworthy. Reflecting now, I find greater value in understanding these things as a process of experiencing life that offered opportunities for learning and growing as opposed to events to “chalk” up along the way. Having deemed these thoughts worthy of further exploration, this now sleepy soul surrenders to the notion of a nap as being nutritious for this growing processor. Stay tuned!