Good morning!
It is 7:03am my time and I have a load of laundry in the washer, the dishes put away, two children dressed, fed, and out the door for school. The beds are made, the house is clean, and there's a banana bread baking in the oven. Household chores can be methodical which is relaxing for me. It's a great time to think as I am distracted by the whir of the vacuum the hum of the washing machine, or in today's case - the 80 strokes it took to turn my ingredients into a creamy smooth batter in the bread pan. As I was accomplishing things this morning I was recalling a fabulous lunch with friends yesterday. I want to share the conversation with you (it's up to Jill if she wants to share her vegetables...)
I have been blessed with amazing friends from many different walks of life. Some friends travel internationally from one magical destination to another, some have given up corporate jobs to work in local coffee shops, some own large businesses, some write books, some own struggling businesses, and some spend the majority of their time helping others and not really 'working' in the traditional manner at all. I've never really cared what someone's J - O - B was; friendship goes deeper than a paycheck. There is however one thing all my friendships have in common:
We take time for one another
That doesn't sound like anything crazy or off the wall and it isn't a new theory at all. Well...maybe not to you. I was so busy for pretty much my entire 20's that I didn't take time for myself, for vacations, or for friendships. Oddly enough many people stuck with me...which says WAY more about them than it does about me.
Back on track here with my story.
Yesterday, I arrived promptly at 11am at my friend Jill's house. She's an amazing woman and I have been asked many times how we met or how we know one another. It's hard to pinpoint an exact moment but I believe it had something to do with a quaint little pub and her heart-warming smile. She pretty much "had me at hello" and the rest is history. Last week she and her husband popped over for a visit and farm tour. It was now my turn to enjoy an amazing view and a fabulous lunch at their gorgeous home. The visit began with a tour of the house and then we settled in on the patio/deck for a delicious garden-fresh lunch complete with virgin mimosa's. Not only was I blessed with the company of Jill and her husband, a neighbor and her 150 great dane also joined us. There was plenty of great conversation and great food to go around. Time was flying by quickly as we laughed and traded stories about this that and the other thing.
I learned that Jill and her husband had chosen a slower lifestyle when they decided to retire early. They downsized and moved out of the big city. Her husband commented that he was enjoying meeting new people, making new friends, and having time for others and himself. This led us to a conversation about how a slower lifestyle allows for deeper and more meaningful conversations. As I recall our chatter, I think about a pot of boiling water on the stove. That pot serves it's purpose and gets things done, but it is not beautiful and doesn't last. A simmering pot however also serves it's purpose and gets things done, but it lasts longer and is more lovely. Probably not the best analogy, and I should have stuck with "take time to smell the roses" or something similar....
but ..this is my blog and my mixed up thoughts...
It all boils down to me being thankful that I finally have the time to sit and have lunch with friends. Instead of quickly returning text messages or calling people between meetings, I am able to stroll through their gardens and sit on their couches while we share stories and ideas. My friendships are stronger and deeper and my heart is filled to the brim with love and adoration for the multitude of people I can call friend.
May your paths be abundantly filled with lemons, sugar, sunshine and time to sit in the garden with friends.
Love,
~Crystal
It is 7:03am my time and I have a load of laundry in the washer, the dishes put away, two children dressed, fed, and out the door for school. The beds are made, the house is clean, and there's a banana bread baking in the oven. Household chores can be methodical which is relaxing for me. It's a great time to think as I am distracted by the whir of the vacuum the hum of the washing machine, or in today's case - the 80 strokes it took to turn my ingredients into a creamy smooth batter in the bread pan. As I was accomplishing things this morning I was recalling a fabulous lunch with friends yesterday. I want to share the conversation with you (it's up to Jill if she wants to share her vegetables...)
I have been blessed with amazing friends from many different walks of life. Some friends travel internationally from one magical destination to another, some have given up corporate jobs to work in local coffee shops, some own large businesses, some write books, some own struggling businesses, and some spend the majority of their time helping others and not really 'working' in the traditional manner at all. I've never really cared what someone's J - O - B was; friendship goes deeper than a paycheck. There is however one thing all my friendships have in common:
We take time for one another
That doesn't sound like anything crazy or off the wall and it isn't a new theory at all. Well...maybe not to you. I was so busy for pretty much my entire 20's that I didn't take time for myself, for vacations, or for friendships. Oddly enough many people stuck with me...which says WAY more about them than it does about me.
Back on track here with my story.
Yesterday, I arrived promptly at 11am at my friend Jill's house. She's an amazing woman and I have been asked many times how we met or how we know one another. It's hard to pinpoint an exact moment but I believe it had something to do with a quaint little pub and her heart-warming smile. She pretty much "had me at hello" and the rest is history. Last week she and her husband popped over for a visit and farm tour. It was now my turn to enjoy an amazing view and a fabulous lunch at their gorgeous home. The visit began with a tour of the house and then we settled in on the patio/deck for a delicious garden-fresh lunch complete with virgin mimosa's. Not only was I blessed with the company of Jill and her husband, a neighbor and her 150 great dane also joined us. There was plenty of great conversation and great food to go around. Time was flying by quickly as we laughed and traded stories about this that and the other thing.
I learned that Jill and her husband had chosen a slower lifestyle when they decided to retire early. They downsized and moved out of the big city. Her husband commented that he was enjoying meeting new people, making new friends, and having time for others and himself. This led us to a conversation about how a slower lifestyle allows for deeper and more meaningful conversations. As I recall our chatter, I think about a pot of boiling water on the stove. That pot serves it's purpose and gets things done, but it is not beautiful and doesn't last. A simmering pot however also serves it's purpose and gets things done, but it lasts longer and is more lovely. Probably not the best analogy, and I should have stuck with "take time to smell the roses" or something similar....
but ..this is my blog and my mixed up thoughts...
It all boils down to me being thankful that I finally have the time to sit and have lunch with friends. Instead of quickly returning text messages or calling people between meetings, I am able to stroll through their gardens and sit on their couches while we share stories and ideas. My friendships are stronger and deeper and my heart is filled to the brim with love and adoration for the multitude of people I can call friend.
May your paths be abundantly filled with lemons, sugar, sunshine and time to sit in the garden with friends.
Love,
~Crystal
Beautifully written. We are happy to have you in our lives. Lets do it again soon. Some new friends immediately feel like old friends, and two of you joined us for lunch yesterday. I can imagine you stirring your batter and tidying your retreat, as I slice the strawberries for breakfast. Love, Jill ~ and James
ReplyDeleteBeautifully written. We are happy to have you in our lives. Lets do it again soon. Some new friends immediately feel like old friends, and two of you joined us for lunch yesterday. I can imagine you stirring your batter and tidying your retreat, as I slice the strawberries for breakfast. Love, Jill ~ and James
ReplyDeleteThank you both Jill and James. You are extraordinary people. Thank you for offering me a seat at the pub all those years ago!
DeleteIt's amazing what a slower path can do! I see the effects of moving from Chicago to Manitowoc. I'm am thankful for several advantages - although I do miss my big city. Good reflection. And, Jill and her husband are good company.
ReplyDeleteYou're such good company too Liysa - we should meet for coffee again soon! Can you imagine if you hadn't moved to Manitowoc? I wouldn't know you either ... I can't even imagine!
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