Missing Out in Minnesota

Learning to be okay missing events has been a big life lesson this year. The are only so many hours in the day, and I can only be one place at a time. Sometimes, that place doesn’t always seem ideal.

I have missed a lot in the last 13 months. I missed being at most of Seth’s concerts, Christmas gatherings, and game nights with friends. I expected there would be a loss of some of these and I knew it would be hard. I’ve found new ways to experience life though. Seth’s concerts are shared live online. I get a close up view that I never did in person, and I didn’t have to walk out early because someone three rows behind me chose to swim in perfume. I found a book club in my building that meets every month. There is a small core of people that I have gotten to know pretty well. Every one reads what they enjoy (or at least think they will enjoy) and we come together for an hour to discuss books and the building goings on.

There have been other events, completely out of my control. I was never in the path of totality for the eclipse this year, but it was so cloudy I didn’t see the sun all day. The Northern Light put on a great show this spring, or so I am told. I had two days of late night fog. I couldn’t even see the sky! Here too, there is some good that comes from it all. Minnesota has the distinction of being far enough north that I will not suffer the the dreaded Cicada Emergence.

This year has been about finding joy where I can. The walks here are beautiful. The neighborhoods are full of trees and and squirrels (Terra’s favorite part). The parks are plentiful, well maintained, and full of wildlife and art. What surprised my most was living and traveling along the Mississippi River. On one hand I have lived around rivers before, but never quite like this. Yes, it gets far wider as it travels south. Even here it is a force to be respected. The river moves fast, with force, and brings change. Seeing the Mississippi change has brought me a lot of joy.

This was a very rambling post, but it comes from the heart. As a reward for reading all the way through, enjoy the Fox Fire as I did this spring.