Thursday, April 29, 2010

The Remnants


Like most things that make you take pause, it started as an accident.

I snapped that picture up there with my Blackberry, on accident while I was looking through pictures to send to a friend.  I'd hit the "camera" button instead of the "picture" button and in my haste, took this.  I didn't think much of it, til I stopped to notice it today on the train.

Blow it up and take a look.  You will see the most perfect metaphor for my month, and all the major descriptors of my life, captured right there. 

An exploded suitcase filled with suits that I wore in Philly, Orlando, New Mexico and Seattle.  Suit jackets that I shrug on everyday, as I grimace my way through a day filled with small talk and shaking of hands and "how are things in your state?"

A plastic bag filled with liquids, 3 oz or less, as per FAA regulations.  My wallet thrown open on the floor, stuffed with receipts and my credit cards that keep charging WAY too much money for food and cabs.

My new purple netbook that I flipped open on Allegra's counter on Saturday --not even a week ago.  Unbelievable to me.  My cloth purse, given to me by a coworker from his Africa trip, which I so love laying beside it.  I stuffed that cloth purse too full when my backback broke in the Albuquerque airport, and I lugged it all around Portland.

The balled-up grayish thing in the upper far left corner?  The new backpack I got with Angie at a bookstore in Portland.

The handmade painted crosses I got in New Mexico for my walls, my softball glove in the corner, and my nosy cat, happy that I'm home.  The cork from my first $100 bottle of wine that J bought for me in Seattle Sunday night....and before you think I'm a romantic, he'd thrown that cork at me in a fit of childishness and I hid it in my purse away from him :)

It's a whole mix of what remains, all tossed together and jumbled up and messy.  Much like my thoughts tonight.  I am to take the day off tomorrow, and I can't wait to sleep in and drink tea and maybe take a walk.  My scale has creeeeped up a few pounds as of late and I need to grab that before it gets out of control. 

I spent last night and today with my old coworkers at a conference that my previous job held in Baltimore this past week.  I remember going to it last year, and blogging about it here.  I feel like that was just five minutes ago.

I just left that job back in December and hadn't seen most of them since.  I hadn't seen most of the members of the association since last October either, and I didnt' realize how nice it would be to be in a room with people who lit up to see me; to hug me instead of shaking my hand and I loved seeing them.

Home though, tonight, and my little cat is here and things are quiet.  I am taking off tomorrow, and hope for a weekend to re-orient.  I have a softball game--time to get back in that routine. 

I will make soup.  I will lay on the couch and I will think about how I've been in 5 cities in 20 days, and I've met people I never thought I would, and saw those I never thought I would again. 

I've held people close to me from coast to coast -- and sometimes I literally catch my breath in gratitude that this...THIS...is my life.  A mix of the crazy and the quiet.  Seattle dinner on Sundays at the pier, to Thursday quiet nights at home. 

To everything in between, I give thanks. 

And turn the remnants of what remains over in my hand again.

6 comments:

Ms. Moon said...

Wow! Yes- perfect random picture of your crazy, beautiful, busy life. I loved this! I like thinking of you enjoying a quiet, lovely morning tomorrow and I surely hope you do.

Bethany said...

Great picture.
Love all the details, the peek into your life, and your kitty!
Enjoy your day off, my gosh, you deserve it. What a whirlwind. And how fun that you met Angie and Allegra!!!
I can't wait to see you and Ms Moon hanging out!

Kaolinmommy said...

I love your beautiful, hectic, perfect "mess". :) And I love you for sharing it. Glad you're home, and I know Charlie is too.

SJ said...

Ms Moon and Bethany -I always look forward to your comments and adore them. Thank you for being a part of this whirlwind with me and for listening to my thoughts along the way :)

SJ said...

KM--love you back!

A.Smith said...

We both loved to have you here, but I guess you already know that. Not only the door is always open to you but we hope you will come back for some fun this time around.

It will give us an excuse to go around playing tourist with you but most of all, the chance to get to know you since you already have a place in our hearts. Happy May 1st tomorrow. I will leave something for you on my blog tomorrow so if you have the time and the inclination, come and take it. Love from here.