Lists

Today started out as one of those kind of overcast, not really much of anything weather days, other than cold when the wind went gusting by. I got my flu shot yesterday morning and was still feeling achy and chilled from it. A good friend has just been diagnosed with lymphoma. Welcome to Cancerland again.

That kind of day.

I walked to a noon meeting, stumping along pretty much oblivious to the neighborhood. Yeah, yeah, the leaves are starting to turn and all that, but it's not like they were contrasted against one of the brilliantly blue skies that October brings.

I was in my own little world. While I walked, I started turning over "to do" lists in my head. I could make a dozen of them - the list of court work that needs done, the list of household chores that needs done, the list of yard work that needs done, the list of home projects that needs done.

All of my lists turn on the phrase "needs done." All of my lists are needy.

Heck, I'm needy. At least today.

The meeting was contentious. A colleague gave me a ride home. When I got here, I sat here tired and achy and frustrated from the meeting.

I had a second meeting at 3:00 and so set out again.

But as is often the case, it was an entirely different trip. The sun was starting to break through the clouds and by golly, those maple leaves on Franklin Street are stunning, aren't they? A block from my front door, I noticed my aunt Ginger, who will be 80 shortly and who lives one block away, walking towards downtown as well. So I caught up with her and we walked and talked and laughed together for four blocks until our paths parted. The afternoon meeting was short and sweet and afterwards I strolled up the street with a fellow commission member, eyeing the wares at the midweek Farmers Market.

The sun was brighter as I walked home and the leaves even more brilliant. I thought about an invocation I heard Tuesday, the gist of which was to be aware of the wonders of life, as God meets us at every turn. On a fall day like this, it is hard to ignore that call to wonder.

I'm now back home, about to tackle supper. I'm still achy and chilled from my flu shot. There are still towels to be folded and dishes to be washed. There are still tasks to be undertaken and completed.

The almighty "needs done" lists, though, have receded in my mind for today. They have been replaced by a very short one that should carry me right on through:

1. Take a deep breath.
2. Take another.
3. Repeat as necessary.