I know, Summer isn't over. We have 20 days of summer left. I just spent the last 9 days on a glorious vacation, and while tomorrow is the last day of my vacation, I am going to enjoy the hell out of each of the last dog days of Summer. I've learned to love a lot of things since I re-started this blog. I started thinking about them all this afternoon, and decided now was as good of a time as any to make a list.
Eating alone in restaurants. This is totally something that I absolutely abhored for a very long time. Maybe it is a result of actually enjoying my own company - but there's something quite indulgent about sitting by myself.. not having to talk to anyone, and just enjoying a meal that I didn't have to make myself.
Running. I haven't been in two weeks, I've had some sleep stuff, I've had some sickness, I've had some really bad excuses... but that doesn't stop the love I have for the way running makes me feel. Nothing feels better than realizing that in the event of a zombie apocalypse, you're not completely stranded. RUUUUUNNNNNN!!!
Family. I have spent so much time with my sisters, nieces and nephews this summer. Between random afternoon/evening game nights with Sister D (I totally skunked her at cribbage this week.) to weekend trips to get all of the local veggies and meats that we can eat, to late nights drinking and laughing about all of the funny High School/College/Wedding adventures we have had.. I don't know that I have ever felt as fortunate as I do to have the connections that I do with my sisters... I truly don't know what I would do without them.
Friends. I've rekindled a ton of friendships that I let fall by the wayside during the six years I spent in a pretty toxic relationship. You can't possibly begin to understand what it means when your best friend looks at you and says "Yeah, we got into a fight 5 years ago because I told you that relationship wasn't a good idea.. and you didn't like that." I fully take responsibility for the relationships that I lost - but please keep in mind, I had also lost myself. I've made huge strides towards fixing what was broken. If you're reading this, and you feel like I haven't reached out you, I'm sorry. Feel free to reach out to me. But whether it be someone wanting to go to breakfast with me, or for a hike, or to travel 613 miles to nap on my couch - I treasure each of you SO much more than you realize.
Food. I never lost my love of food... per se, I just didn't. I don't know if it's possible for that to happen, but I have definitely regained a love of all things delicious. Yes, I ate all of this this week. See also: Reasons why I haven't been running; eating all the delicious food instead.
Whole Belly clams from The Dipnet in Port Clyde.
Affogato from Squid Ink Coffee in Port Clyde.
Val's Scramble from the St. George River Cafe
Duck Egg Carbonara from Ada's Kitchen in Rockland
Myself. It took a long time for me to get back to a place where I can honestly say that I love myself again. It involved a lot of hard work, and spending a lot of time figuring out what made me lose myself in the first place. All of that hard work, and quality time by myself has finally (FINALLY!!) paid off. I'm content. I'm happy. I'm incredibly grateful.
I have so much love for this summer and all of the lessons (even the losers!) it's brought into my life. It really is true what they say about time healing all wounds. Some of those wounds were pretty fucking deep, but I can honestly say that I wouldn't go back and try to un-do anything that has been done. We can only move forward, one step at a time. The next step, however, involves me roasting a chicken for a handsome man.. I should get on that.
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