Life is Short . . . Make Memories Now
Have you ever done something so deliciously fun on a whim that the sheer memory of it brings a smile to your face?
Last week I did exactly that. Despite the fact that my week began with a three-day car trip to Minneapolis with four children for a day-long visit to the Shriners Hospital, I decided to take a one day trip to Oregon on Friday to help my best friend from high school celebrate her 40th birthday.
It took me almost all day Thursday to make the decision to go, but I really wanted to be there. I knew the timing wasn't great and that with the recent graduation festivities and the medical trip to the Twin Cities, the budget wasn't exactly supporting a spur-of-the-moment trip to anywhere but the grocery store.
Nevertheless, I sat at the computer and tried every conceivable combination of dates and times to find the cheapest ticket available. When I'd exhausted all my avenues, it was still too expensive. I lamented, via Instant Message chat to the birthday girl, Cherie, that I was just not going to be able to be at her at her party. We were both bummed. I even went and over-nighted her gift to her so she'd have it in time for her party.
Feeling down and tired I took a little nap. When I awoke, I had a new idea. I hadn't thought to see if I had enough miles on my credit card to cover the cost of a ticket! I flew to the computer and as luck would have it, I had enough to cover half the ticket. I verified with the better half that it was ok and I booked a flight.
I did not, however, share this information with Cherie. No, instead I told her that I was going to spend the day with my friend at her parents' cabin at the lake all day on Friday. That way she wouldn't expect to see me online. Am I tricky or what?
After going to bed around midnight, I rose around 2:30 A.M. to get ready and drive to Lincoln for my 6:30 A.M. flight. You know, the roadways are refreshingly quiet at 4:00 in the morning. I arrived in Oregon right on schedule; a minor miracle for me. I got my rental car and headed out to the freeway. It's been two years since I have visited my family and friends in Oregon and I was again struck by the awesome beauty of the mountains and trees, even with the gray clouds that were hanging heavy in the sky. The trip was made even more beautiful by the bright splashes of color growing beside the roads. I have to admit that it was hard not to pull over and take a picture of each thing that caught my eye so I could remember every detail of this trip.
Two hours later, I drove up to the shop where my mom works in Lebanon. That would be Lebanon, Oregon, not the country. She got off work and we headed to the coffee shop to catch up before going home and surprising my dad who didn't know I was coming.
After freshening up, I headed over to Albany to meet up with a friend who would show me the way to the restaurant where Cherie's party was to be held. Since we were "fashionably late" the party was already in full swing when I walked up the stairs into the party room.
Cherie screamed and jumped up and down for a full three minutes when I came into view. Now I have to admit I wish more people would greet me with such enthusiasm. It was the best feeling to know I had surprised her and to see how happy she was. I was equally thrilled to be there.
Cherie and I met at the bus stop in ninth grade. We became best friends and everyone knew that if you saw one of us the other was surely close by. In high school Cherie worked in a clothing store where her flair for design just shined. She and I share the experience of traveling to Mexico with our youth group to work in the orphanages there and I have always secretly admired the fact that she knows every lyric to every song ever written. No kidding.
After the party wound down we hugged goodbye for the 100th time and I headed back to my parents house. Mom was waiting up for me; just like old times. We talked for as long as I could keep my eye lids open and agreed to take Dad out for breakfast to celebrate Father's Day before I had to head back to the airport for my 2:00 P.M. flight.
Though I hated to leave so soon, my flight home was satisfying. I had a truly enjoyable time celebrating Cherie's milestone birthday and even gotten to celebrate Father's Day with my own dad; an event that hasn't happened in almost 20 years.
It's the times like this in our lives that I believe will sustain us through the dry periods. When we feel stagnate in our lives we can recall the joy of times like a surprise trip to visit a friend. So I'm encouraging you to take some risks, make some memories and don't put it off. Trust me; you'll be glad you did.
Last week I did exactly that. Despite the fact that my week began with a three-day car trip to Minneapolis with four children for a day-long visit to the Shriners Hospital, I decided to take a one day trip to Oregon on Friday to help my best friend from high school celebrate her 40th birthday.
It took me almost all day Thursday to make the decision to go, but I really wanted to be there. I knew the timing wasn't great and that with the recent graduation festivities and the medical trip to the Twin Cities, the budget wasn't exactly supporting a spur-of-the-moment trip to anywhere but the grocery store.
Nevertheless, I sat at the computer and tried every conceivable combination of dates and times to find the cheapest ticket available. When I'd exhausted all my avenues, it was still too expensive. I lamented, via Instant Message chat to the birthday girl, Cherie, that I was just not going to be able to be at her at her party. We were both bummed. I even went and over-nighted her gift to her so she'd have it in time for her party.
Feeling down and tired I took a little nap. When I awoke, I had a new idea. I hadn't thought to see if I had enough miles on my credit card to cover the cost of a ticket! I flew to the computer and as luck would have it, I had enough to cover half the ticket. I verified with the better half that it was ok and I booked a flight.
I did not, however, share this information with Cherie. No, instead I told her that I was going to spend the day with my friend at her parents' cabin at the lake all day on Friday. That way she wouldn't expect to see me online. Am I tricky or what?
After going to bed around midnight, I rose around 2:30 A.M. to get ready and drive to Lincoln for my 6:30 A.M. flight. You know, the roadways are refreshingly quiet at 4:00 in the morning. I arrived in Oregon right on schedule; a minor miracle for me. I got my rental car and headed out to the freeway. It's been two years since I have visited my family and friends in Oregon and I was again struck by the awesome beauty of the mountains and trees, even with the gray clouds that were hanging heavy in the sky. The trip was made even more beautiful by the bright splashes of color growing beside the roads. I have to admit that it was hard not to pull over and take a picture of each thing that caught my eye so I could remember every detail of this trip.
Two hours later, I drove up to the shop where my mom works in Lebanon. That would be Lebanon, Oregon, not the country. She got off work and we headed to the coffee shop to catch up before going home and surprising my dad who didn't know I was coming.
After freshening up, I headed over to Albany to meet up with a friend who would show me the way to the restaurant where Cherie's party was to be held. Since we were "fashionably late" the party was already in full swing when I walked up the stairs into the party room.
Cherie screamed and jumped up and down for a full three minutes when I came into view. Now I have to admit I wish more people would greet me with such enthusiasm. It was the best feeling to know I had surprised her and to see how happy she was. I was equally thrilled to be there.
Cherie and I met at the bus stop in ninth grade. We became best friends and everyone knew that if you saw one of us the other was surely close by. In high school Cherie worked in a clothing store where her flair for design just shined. She and I share the experience of traveling to Mexico with our youth group to work in the orphanages there and I have always secretly admired the fact that she knows every lyric to every song ever written. No kidding.
After the party wound down we hugged goodbye for the 100th time and I headed back to my parents house. Mom was waiting up for me; just like old times. We talked for as long as I could keep my eye lids open and agreed to take Dad out for breakfast to celebrate Father's Day before I had to head back to the airport for my 2:00 P.M. flight.
Though I hated to leave so soon, my flight home was satisfying. I had a truly enjoyable time celebrating Cherie's milestone birthday and even gotten to celebrate Father's Day with my own dad; an event that hasn't happened in almost 20 years.
It's the times like this in our lives that I believe will sustain us through the dry periods. When we feel stagnate in our lives we can recall the joy of times like a surprise trip to visit a friend. So I'm encouraging you to take some risks, make some memories and don't put it off. Trust me; you'll be glad you did.