Revel made herself appear to me on March 29th, the morning I took my sweet Penny to the vet to be spayed. Not that Penny’s surgery had anything to do with Revel per se, it was the coffee at the vet’s office. There weren’t any decaf pods on the pod tree, so a REAL cup of coffee is what I made, and drank. It was as if after years of drinking decaf to keep the skippy heartbeats at bay, the actual caffeine fired neurons that shook Revel from my brain.
Of course she had been developing there over the past several years of my late fifties; don’t you recognize the features, too? The beautiful silver glitter in her hair (sporadic or perhaps persistent grays), the glorious gold glitter at her neck (extra crepe-y skin that can gather and collect); yet the wear-with-all to don Fire Engine Red lipstick just because she can. I’m so proud of her! Even with six decades of ups, downs, disappointments and accomplishments, she still has a sense of humor.
I’m not sure what exactly I was bemoaning that morning I dropped Penny off: perhaps it was that I had just recently lost ten pounds, yet now my face seemed to be sagging even more (you mean I have to smile even more now to hide some of my wrinkles????); or perhaps it was that after research and pursuing the purchase of a camper (now this is funny) for the most indoor person I know (me, ask my kids) and then realizing that there was no need trying to become someone I am not at this age; or perhaps the sudden realization that having an unmanageable amount of “moving parts” in one’s life at one time is exhausting and can leave you feeling like you aren’t doing any of them well–I comfortably sat in my Juke, looked in the rear view and announced: I’m really not meant to have it all–who wants IT ALL?? (so much to keep up with!!)–just enjoy the life you have!! AND REVEL IN IT! Revel in the pieces of your life–there are so many to be proud of, to cherish and to coddle.
The pieces of my life now are glorious and precious: my amazing parents in their mid-eighties showing us all how a good life is lived; my passionate, exuberant, adventurous and dedicated daughters whose love for living inspires me daily; my job where I can help children with chronic illnesses have a better quality of life through proper nutrition; my home where I feel safe every night; my dogs who allow me to be their pack leader; and an amazing bevy of friends who listen to my woes and give me hugs no matter how long it’s been since I’ve seen them last.
We aren’t meant to have it all but to revel in the joy of the pieces we are presently given and love. Ask Revel, she’ll tell you–while sporting her Fire Engine Red lipstick and giggling over some of the insights she’s uncovered–she’s here to share and uplift.