When my husband came home with a surprise I learned a valuable lesson.

Happy 400th post to me! I hadn’t paid much attention to anything more than was it Wednesday or Sunday, my usual posting days. 400! Immediately, I did the math to see how close I was to reaching my 10,000 hours. Have you read THE TIPPING POINT by Malcom Gladwell? 400 posts only puts me around 1,200-1,600 hours. Add six years of working on MYSTIC…yeah, I still have a way to go.

September 15, 2008 was my first post. I thought I was mainly going to write about writing. It evolved into a blog about our family, my thoughts on life, and some yummy recipes. I’m thankful for all my readers all over the world. I don’t always encourage commenting on this blog. It’s mainly because I know how busy people are and maybe you just want to read and not have to write. I understand. However, please know that I do love hearing from readers so if you ever want to introduce yourself…please do!

Even though I still have a long way to go with my writing I wouldn’t be here if I hadn’t taken the plunge back then and followed my dream. Sure I was naïve as to the amount of work that was before me. Isn’t that true with any endeavor that’s worthwhile? You tend to see yourself at the summit looking at the beauty that surrounds you, breathing in the fresh air, and feeling as though you’re on top of the world. What you don’t envision is the long trek up the mountain, sweating, swearing, thinking you’ll never make it—nope that’s not the painted picture in your mind but it’s the reality. Luckily, you don’t see it until you’re there perhaps stuck in the mud and then you have to summon the courage to keep going, which of course is the only reason you make it to the top. 400! I’m still climbing.

The Surprise

Eric called me from work this past Valentine’s Day and said he’d be late because he had to pick up my present. I was surprised, curious and a little nervous. Surprised because he had already left flowers on the counter, breakfast in the fridge, chocolate on my computer and was cooking me a nice dinner that evening. There was more? My brain began spinning a web of possibilities. I knew it probably wasn’t jewelry because I’m not a jewelry kind of person. I was nervous knowing  it could be a puppy that would grow up to be a Buddy look a like or a greyhound because I am an animal kind of person. We had discussed getting another dog but our hearts were/are still very much missing Buddy. Eric has always been the type of gift giver who needs an exact list to choose from. So when he told me he bought me something without a list I was curious. What had he come up with?

He came home with a giant box and pushed it through the front door. On the side was a picture of a black office chair. He bought me a chair? I had a perfectly fine office chair. Eric explained that it was nicer. He had wanted to get me a new desk too but couldn’t find the right color wood. I didn’t know he cared about types of wood.  I thanked him and asked why he chose those gifts. He said that I spend many hours writing, I should be comfortable and I should have a desk that doesn’t look like it belongs in a dorm room. I laughed. I’d never seen my desk that way until he pointed it out. He’s absolutely right.

It occurred to me that the way I had seen my old chair and desk is exactly how I should see my writing and my life. I shouldn’t wish for better—wish to be at the top of the mountain. I should concentrate on my work. Enjoy the climb even on the rainy days. When I’m ready new opportunities will surprise me just like my husband’s gift.

It’s all about being happy with where you are and what you have.