Anticipation

Whenever I type this word—anticipation—invariably Carly Simon and a Heinz ketchup commercial both come to mind.

At this moment, I am also anticipating the last day of work before our spring break begins. Today will be a lighter day, and most of the students are already done, but the energy of those of us still in the building will be high, as is always the case heading into some time off. After nearly 34 years, there are many things I appreciate about the ebb and flow of school days and years.

There is also plenty of anticipation for the road trip my husband Darcy and I will soon be taking. With limited travel the last two years, a road trip to see new countryside and places is just what we need. As we cover miles and reach destinations, I will also strive to stay where I am in each moment. True presence enhances any experience.

I ponder the times in life I have had wonderful anticipation: our wedding, the birth of our son Sam and our grandsons Leo and Aaron, every pre-marathon week and morning we experienced, seeing people I had really missed, recovery milestones, the first copies of our sister poetry book arriving in the mail. And I consider the difficult times of anticipation. Awaiting biopsy results. Watching chemo drugs go into my IV for the first time. Surgery preparation. Stepping into the nursing home to visit my mom and knowing she wouldn’t know me. Tuning in for the next round of COVID restrictions.

Anticipation. A heightened emotion we can’t always be feeling. It would be exhausting and anxiety-provoking. It is the appropriate emotion for me today, and it is the best kind of anticipation.

While I take a blog break, I encourage you to look at my previous blog, Habitual Gratitude, for plenty of material on living gratefully and being fully present. Create some happy anticipation in your day and have a good one!