Day 23

Throughout this process, some of my experiences have been ones that I would never have done if it weren't for this project. However, some of the tasks that I have been undertaking are ones that I have thought of in the past andm for one reason or another, I haven't quite made it to the accomplishment-part of those ideas. Today was a perfect example of the latter.

Due to a tea party-themed baby shower I have become the rightful owner of a myriad of tea cups and other supplies that I am sure only the Mad Hatter himself would approve of. Once the shower was over and the dust had settled on that event, a garage sale was definitely in order.

While on bed rest, there were few things that I could do to truly occupy my mind and my time. One of the simple pleasures that I sought out quite regularly was list-making. This skill quickly turned into the realization that I was overwhelmed and over-outfitted with "stuff". Needless to say, the overdone garage sale turned out to be a little less than a hit, save the neighbors that stopped by to shop or to chat it up about the pavement or something.

Directly to the west of me resides a retired couple who seem to care for me from afar. I know that they are always very concerned for my well being and are caught watching over me every now and again. I take great comfort in this. At one point during my garage sale, the wife of the couple came by to see how things were going. After glancing around at the worn goods, her eyes rested upon a creamy ceramic teapot with delicate violet molded flowers carousel-ing around the lid. She let it be known that she would purchase this pot if no one else was interested by the end of the sale. She left and went about her day. We all did.

Now it is several months later and I had ALMOST long since forgotten about that teapot and the exchange with my neighbor... until today.

Waiting far past nightfall, I ventured over to the edge of the yard, teapot in hand, and left the gift that I should have given several months ago. It's strange how it was such a simple deed, yet it took this project to remind me of it. It is a shame, really, how I needed such a reminder. By far that has been one of the most helpful things about this whole project. It gives me a wonderful chance to look at my life on a daily basis and reflect as to what I am doing, what I should be doing, and what I will be doing.

I hope to take this feeling with me once this is all over. I want to reach down into my pocket for a piece of gum and pull out the feeling of accomplishment and reward along with it. I want to look in the mirror while brushing my teeth at night and see specks of experiences and tasks that led me to that very moment. I hope that this teaches me to remain more "in the moment" while creating good choices for me and my world that surrounds me.