August 28, 2016

It's Okay to Laugh

You may have noticed that I haven't been writing much lately. I promise it's not because I've been sitting in bed all day, bingeing on ice cream and Netflix (as lovely as that sounds!), haha. I've just really been enjoying the last little bits of summer, and I've been trying to make some fun memories with my kids.

I feel like with my recent epiphany about my summer weight gain, I also had a change of attitude with everything else. I want to really, truly, enjoy moments in my life that seem to be flying by. My kids, for example--can you believe they are 12 and 10 years old now?! For some reason, I've been very aware lately that they are just growing into little adults right before my eyes. And I'm not ready for that.

When I first started my blog, I loved writing every day. I loved taking and posting photos, too.

Looking back, though, I feel like I may have missed out on some things because I was too busy thinking that I had to take pictures, or what I was going to write about--sometimes, I think it's better to just make memories instead of making sure to have photos of those memories. Does that make sense? For the past few weeks, I've been trying to just make memories with the kids, and not worry about anything else.

I'm not ill, or dying--that I know of, anyway--I've just been thinking a lot lately about living in the moment and enjoying as much as I can. A few days ago, I even got a book that confirmed what I was thinking: "It's Okay to Laugh (Crying is Cool, Too)"--a memoir by Nora McInerny Purmort (Amazon affiliate link). She lost a pregnancy, her father, and her husband within weeks of each other a couple of years ago, and this book encompasses all of her feelings and thoughts surrounding the punches that life threw at her. The structure of the book is unlike anything I've ever read before--it's not in any sort of predictable order, but more of a jumble of random thoughts or an organized journal of thoughts.


Yesterday, our power went out for seven hours, so I finished the entire book (some by flashlight). I loved it! It was very funny, sad, sarcastic, witty, and relatable. It also made me want to really savor every moment of my relationships with the people that I love.

At one point in the book, when she knows her husband is going to die (he had a stage IV malignant brain tumor), she mentions that she wishes she could insert a USB drive into him and just extract all of his memories and thoughts so she could keep them forever. All the details about all the stories he'd told her, memorialized.

After reading that, Jerry and I had a great conversation about childhood memories, and I really listened--not just to the main points of what he said, but to each and every detail. I hope that we have several more decades together, but if we don't, I don't want to feel like I could have listened more or spent more time with the family.

Anyway, all of that is to say that I haven't abandoned my blog--I'm just taking a little break. Once the boys are back in school, I'll take more time to write (I do enjoy having memories written down!).

Right now, Jerry is at the movies with the kids. They're seeing a superhero movie, which is definitely not my thing, so Jerry always takes them to those types of movies. They'd been looking forward to their "guy time" for a couple of weeks.

I've been working on our plans for Virginia Beach. It's a LONG drive to get there (12 hours), so we decided to stop about halfway there, in Hershey, Pennsylvania. The kids have always thought it would be so cool to go to Hershey, so we're just going to stay there for a night and then finish the drive to Virginia Beach. Eli is looking forward to going to an aquarium and fishing in the ocean; and Noah just wants to walk the boardwalk ;) It's fun to see what the kids get excited over! I'm excited to see some of my old Ragnar teammates, watch the From Fat to Finish Line documentary with them, and have a relaxing few days before school starts back up.

Speaking of Ragnar, the Another Mother Runner podcast that I was interviewed on is already up! The other podcasts I've been on had taken several weeks or months between the recording and airing, but AMR got that done so quickly. I haven't listened to it (I don't like to listen to myself talk), but if you'd like to listen, here is a link. Jen Roe was also interviewed, and she's hilarious (if you haven't already figured that out from watching the film).

I hope you are all enjoying your summer. Only a few more days until it's September!


15 comments:

  1. Skip the "factory tour" at Hershey. Tourist trap money pit!

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  3. I actually think the factory tour is pretty cute! It doesn't take long. My cross country team had nationals at Hershey two years in a row (they have a surprisingly difficult cross country course there) and the tour was the only thing open in November, so we did it both times.

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  4. Yes, I enjoyed the Hershey factory tour too, BUT that's been many many years ago and I was on my parents' dime so no clue of the cost ;-) You're so right about living IN the moment instead of constantly worrying or even looking forward to the next. Just be in the current one.

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  5. We went to see that Suicide Squad movie -- which isn't really "super hero" but it was super entertaining! Hubby and I both laughed out loud at Harley Quinn -- but I felt so bad for the actress that played her... her wardrobe was basically shorty shorts and a ripped up tee. Poor thing was probably super uncomfortable and cold the whole production time!!

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  6. The kids will think the tour of the Hershey factory is like a primitive Willy Wonka! They should see that too. It's such fun. Enjoy!

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  7. I live very close to Hershey and while my kids 11, 10, 5, and 2 have been or the Factory Tour many times they still enjoy it. It is free and parking is free for up to an hr or 2. At Chocolate World not Hershey Park (nothing is free in the Park lol) Anyway you get a small piece of chocolate when you finish and then you are dumped out into the souvenir store. The 3D movie is pretty fun too. We have never done the make your own chocolate bar. I have done the trolley tour that departs from Chocolate World which is cute. Enjoy your trip. A fun little restaurant in Hershey called the Hershey Pantry is yummy too.

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    1. Agreed! Not sure how long ago the previous commenters were at Hershey, but the Chocolate Factory tour (ride) is and always has been free. It's the extra 4D show, the make-your-own-chocolate bar, etc that comes at an additional cost. And, obviously, the theme park admission.

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  8. I live close to Hershey and My boys 15,13 and 2 all get a kick out of going to the factory tour.. Its free, why not.

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  9. I agree about living in the moment. But I also realize how much I forget. It's interesting to hear my brother bring up a childhood memory that is much more vague to me than it is to him. So I gotta capture some photos so that I can have something to trigger my memory apparently. I think balance is key. Some people won't stop snapping or recording. That takes all the enjoyment away.

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  10. I didn't have a camera for several years, because I realized that I was too focused on getting a good photo, instead of enjoying the experience. I think it is GREAT that you are focusing on your family, and as always, I appreciate you sharing your heart!

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  11. I remember taking my old bulky video camera to sports, etc. events when my boys were growing up. I would basically miss the entire event (cause it wasn't that easy to see through that little view finder), and realize now, that BEING there in that moment would have been so much better. Especially since all those VHS tapes are long gone. I still take lots of pictures to "capture the moment," but at least I get to enjoy events for the most part, since pictures are quick.

    I ordered that book. You might remember, my husband is fighting stage 4, terminal cancer, he's in year 3 of what we were told is usually 4 and a half years survival, but still doing well, so we HOPE for more time. Always more time. It's the greatest gift we get, right up there with our HEALTH. I have found out there's a word for what I am experiencing, "anticipatory grief." It's the hardest thing I've ever lived through, and sometimes when I read a widow's memoir (Patrick Swayze's widows, for one), I simply cannot read it, it's just too painful. I have always been one who looked for and wanted a HAPPY ending. And that is not to be. But when is it ever, really? I have a picture frame at my house that says, "If you live to be 100, I want to live to be 100 minus one day, so I never have to live a day without you." It's a Winnie The Pooh quote, and I put a picture of my husband and I hugging after a Cancer Run/Walk we participated in. It is so precious to me.

    I'm glad you have decided to really truly enjoy those boys, they are growing up so fast. Believe me, I understand, since my youngest turned 30 this year. WHEW! Where did the years go? And if you don't blog everyday that's okay. But I will miss you, I'm selfish like that.

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    1. Oh, and I went to the Hershey factory, and took the "touristy-trap" tour back in 1966--Yes I'm that OLD! As I recall, (OMG--that was 50 years ago), it was fun.

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  12. I was just in Hershey, PA for two days at Hersheypark! It's very cool!

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  13. We were just there and loved Chocolate World! I agree to taking advantage of free parking for up to 2 hrs. I personally loved the tasting experience! Get there kind of early for a pick of times. There are packages to purchase for the different experiences. Enjoy!

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