Heyo,
It’s been awhile, yes? I know. I never call, never write. I’m sorry. Life has been full and busy, but more than anything, I’ve been holding words close to my heart for the past few months. Sometimes you feel ready to chisel your thoughts into the stone of social media, and sometimes you don’t. Recently, I just haven’t.
Today, though? Thoughts! I’m sharing ’em!
Remember when I launched Project Yes to Life? It came on the heels of my husband’s death when I was reeling with uncertainty and lacking in courage. I read a book that caused me to commit the next year of my life to saying YES to hard things, scary things, exciting things. Some people pushed back a bit and said, “But saying the right ‘no’s” is important, too. And yes. They are correct. In fact, in order to say Yes to anything at all, No to something else is usually necessary. But I have in the past, used No as an excuse to stay stuck and so for me, for 2016, YES was the right word. And I used it, y’all, I really did. I said Yes to all sorts of things including – a six-week sabbatical from my job in 2017. My job graciously allows a sabbatical every seven years. I took one right after Steve died, though it maybe didn’t fit the definition exactly, and I’m taking one now, having just passed the 15-year mark at Westside. I’m now on Day 6 of said sabbatical and I have to say: it’s going great!
My goals for this time are a little squishy right now. Mostly, the plan is to regroup, refresh, probably write, take in new sights and sounds, see the world and Jesus and life from another vantage point. The vantage point I’ve chosen for my time is Florence, Italy. Ever since my first visit in 2011, I’ve wanted to go back and spend significant time there. I had it in my heart to go when I retired, but when I got rolling with the whole Yes situation, I decided I needed to do it now. I booked an apartment last December, and have been waiting anxiously, second-guessing, anticipating, regretting, hoping, dreaming ever since. It really has been a roller coaster of “I’m so excited I’m doing this!” and “Why the heck am I doing this?”
But, now, on the brink of stepping off the map of this city I’ve called home for the past 23 years and into the great unknown, I am nearly 90% Yes. I am nervous, for sure. But I am ready. I am so, so ready.
I’m hoping to document my time away on the blog or Facebook or something that will some day provide me with evidence that I really did do this thing, but I’m also not promising anything right now. I want to live in the day and in the moment and in the gelatto. So, we’ll see. Please don’t be mad at me if I don’t post much. And please don’t be mad at me if I do. Please don’t be mad at me in general. I know what an extraordinary gift it is to be able to travel and to have a job that gives me the time to pursue this dream, and I think there is enough dream-fullfilling power in our Great God to satisfy all of us. All I know for sure is, without Him none of this would be possible and I am so, so thankful.
So, follow along if you’d like to see more pictures of cappuccino than you know what to do with. I hope to share them and to share some bits of what I’m learning, feeling and experiencing as Project Yes to Life goes to Italy.
I love you.
With hope,
Bo
Bo – have a WONDERFUL month exploring all that life has for you in Florence. What a fantastic choice of a place to “adventure.” I will be praying that this time brings all that God desires for you to pass.
Grande Avventura!
Love, love, love your thoughts. God is so fond of our “yes!” And I love the adventures He gives us when we let him plan the trip!
Blessings to you Bo as you embark on this journey. Whether you post or not no worries–just breathe it in, enjoy, and be well.
YES!!! to all of this. every part. every moment. every step. every sight. every sip. every bite. ENJOY, and be refreshed, my dear friend!
Ahhhh, Firenzi!!! I know you know it some already…but it will welcome you back with open arms & a warm hug! I love Firenzi!!! I have such precious memories of our few days there! So soak up some sun for me dear lady…throw a pebble off of the Ponte Vecchio…try to catch a sunrise from the far side some morning! You will be missed here at home, but you will be far richer for having drenched your soul in that amazing culture, when you return! ❤️ You are loved!!!
I sent you an email … but was too late in sending it before you were off. How about dinner in Florence sometime? Or coffee or cocktails or all 3?
Elizabeth – emailing you!