Stopping to Smell the Roses

Do you ever have seemingly random, exhilarating moments...that for reasons you can't explain, you just feel so grateful to be alive you just might burst with enthusiasm? Where you just have to close your eyes, throw your head back and take a deep breath? I had one of those as I was walking out of the post office tonight. I couldn't really put my finger on it. Maybe it was the combination of the cool night air, the sparkling lights of Araha beach in the distance and all the wonderful smells coming from the collective restaurants in the area. Or maybe...

Maybe it was the news that my husband was coming home tonight...a week early, after being gone for three.

Maybe it was the spur-of-the-moment spa pedicure (thanks to a birthday gift certificate from a sweet friend)...which lasts 1.5 hours and includes an incredible leg and foot massage topped off by the cutest toe art you've ever seen (on every toe...not just the big one).

Maybe it was the fact that I was still chuckling to myself after the random experience I'd had at another "beauty" appointment earlier in the day. Let me just say that until you've experienced having an Okinawan woman pour hot wax on your...ummm...body...and repeatedly ripping it off, while discussing the tenants of your faith, African-American history and various books authored by mega-church preachers (with gospel music blaring overhead)...you haven't lived, my friends. Trust me on this one. TMI? Sorry...that one was just too good not to share. (I mean, I appreciate a good "How Great Thou Art" or an "Our God is an Awesome God" as much as the next gal...but the venue was just a little.....peculiar.)

Maybe it was solving the world's problems over an awesome Daisy's Thai-rice-plate lunch with a great friend...in between a walk on the beach on a gorgeous Spring day.

Maybe it was the 3 hour morning nap I had (after driving 6 AM Seminary carpool) that I SO desperately needed after nearly a week of sleeping 3-4 hours a night. (A deep sleep nap...full of realistic dreams about Sandra Bullock...who was my BFF coming to me to be consoled after learning of her jerk-of-a-husband's infidelity.)

Maybe it was the fact that I had just dropped my oldest son of at his high school "nerd dance" after sharing one of those bittersweet conversations where you are so grateful to be a mom on one hand...but a little unnerved to be relating to your child on an adult level on the other.

I'm sure all of those things had something to do with it. Today was a very good day...definitely more self-indulgent than most. But I don't feel guilty in the least. I think I came away recharged...pitcher filled...and ready to pour.