It's all in how you look at it

I was catching up with a friend whom I hadn't talked to since Christmas, and in telling her about the last couple of weeks, I realized something: that what at some points felt like things happening so fast I couldn't keep up, things had actually just fallen into place more quickly than I expected.

So some of what happened was taking on some new responsibilities at work, which couldn't make me happier, and I just need to figure out how to make my schedule work. And making a trip to Washington, D.C. at kind of the last minute to see family and go to the inauguration, which every American should do at some point in their life. But the big thing that happened was that my daughter learned a week before classes began that she'd been accepted at Syracuse University.

The reason she was accepted so late was a bureaucratic screw-up discovered only through her diligence and detective work (her high school transcript had been sent, but it had not been updated to reflect the fact that she had graduated, and there's a lot more I could say but I won't). The important thing is that she got accepted. And even at that late date, she got the classes she wanted. And found housing, because someone had unexpectedly moved out of a house where one of her best friends lives. And she got a terrific scholarship.

It's hard to beat things falling into place like that.   

I think the year ahead is going to be a lot like that - change is in the air. And if it's in the air, you might just as well take a deep breath and consider all of the possibilities. The camper - which was a fabulous Christmas gift from a friend so dear she pays attention to what I pick as favorites on Etsy, and make sure you look closely at the license plate - seems like the perfect symbol. An open road, adventures ahead, some unexpected twists and turns more than likely, but maybe ones that will lead to unexpected discoveries.

This quote from G. K. Chesterton has always been one of my favorites: "An adventure is only an inconvenience rightly considered. An inconvenience is an adventure wrongly considered." This year, I think they'll be words to live by.

 

 

Comments

[Kim Kenward]

Sounds like a whole lot of life has been happening and good things are finally catching up with you. Love your precious bird house.

[Heather]

Oh, what a sweet camper!!! Love it! Have a great week! xo Heather

[laurie magpie ethel]

I have been wondering why it has been so quiet on you end.. sounds like you have had quite the start to the new year! Super exciting news about your daughter and sounds like it was meant to be and has all worked out with classes, housing and scholarships. (You will miss her...but those wings are meant to be spread). Hope 2013 leads to amazing discoveries...

[Mitzi Curi]

What great news! I'm so glad you can "go with the flow", and I love your little camper. The friend that sent that to you is a real gem!

[JKaye]

So happy for your daughter. Incidents like that bureaucratic mess seem to be a part of the learning process, I think, designed to give lessons in patience and perserverance. I try to look at it that way rather than pull my hair out in frustration. The little camper seems like an apt symbol for moving on in life -- it's inevitable, but who says it can't be full of whimsy and delight?

[Carol @ Old Glory Cottage]

I would SO love to go to the inauguration someday! I bet it was simply amazing.
So happy for your daughter! Sounds like everything fell perfectly into place, and you're wondering now why you were so worried!

[Kathy]

Congratulations on all of the above! It sounds like your year is off to a crazy-busy start. It is truly amazing how much you can get done when it all has to get done!

[Into Vintage]

Congrats all around at the Ooodles household for kicking off the new year with achievement and adventure! (not to mention one very cute little camper).

[Mary Kay Andrews]

Barbara dear, you've been missed. Which makes me think maybe I should get off my duff and blog too! Happy 2013!

[Kate]

Congrats all around! Love the camper, happy things have fallen into place for you.