One of my favorite podcasters likes to encourage folks saying, “Make the most of your dash,”, and I’ve been considering that a lot lately as I ponder how things have changed in the last year. I still remember the conversation from a year ago so clearly. My housemate was afraid that she was having issues with a hernia, and we strategized about how we were going to get care for her with minimal interruption to the daily flow of things at the house. Little did we know that we’d be mourning her death less than three months after that conversation, and I feel like I’ve been treading water after the all-hands-on-deck approach that we used in the last weeks of Sue’s life.
Now that the kids have gone back to school, I guess it’s really started to sink in again that the homestead can be a really lonely place. Without the kids and my dear friend, the days seem really long and I’m really struggling to find the thing that’ll help me with purpose, motivation, and drive.
So what does this have to do with my “dash”? Well, I’ve been struggling for quite some time now, and as I’ve struggled, the clock keeps ticking. This means that I’m not making forward progress for myself and my family, and that’s tough to reconcile in my own head. Every day is precious and can’t be wasted, so what’s next?
Folks who know me well know that I’m positive and persistent. It might take me some time in the weeds to get back onto the path, but in the end, I’m always right back on the path heading forward. I feel like this last year has been one of those times in the weeds, but I’m tired of the itching, the thorns, and the tangled mess of plant matter at my feet. I know that the path is nearby; I just need to find the right tools to get there.
I’m really excited about trying one of those tools — a family camping trip. My son read a book about some guys who through-hiked the Appalachain Trail, and he expressed interest in doing that too. As we talked more about it, it occurred to me that planning a long hike for any of the family who wanted to join us could be just the kind of experience I need to get my head back in the game. Then I thought about how much I enjoy camping, and before I knew it, a trip was planned. There are still some details that need addressed, but the kids and I are so excited!
And now as I think about it, it’s been a very long time since I’ve been truly excited about something. So perhaps I’ve just recognized an important tool to get me back on the path toward making the most of my dash. And I’m sure I’ll have plenty of experiences to share along the way!