Big Enough Umbrella

Thursday, 30 December 2004

Of Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness

So my former partner in crime at work, Sherry, was married today at Disney World. She worked on my team and for a year and a half was my sounding board and muse in regards to politics, news, and the differences that seperate all of us. She recently was promoted within the department in November and even though she sits but 15 feet away, circumstances have changed and we no longer talk. Thus, I was shocked when she walked up to me on Tuesday and pointed me to an email she'd sent with a link to her wedding homepage. After 4 years 364 days of being engaged, I guess it was time. I know she's been wanting this for a very long time, so I can feel nothing but complete joy and wonderment at someone who's life is going so wonderful of late.

This evening my parents bought a digital camera as a Christmas present for each other. It's great to see my dad play with his new toy as my mom chirped in from the chair across the room about his need to read the directions before he did anything. There was a sense of satisfaction and contentment in the room which has been sorely missing over the past few years of moving, job changes, unemployment and health issues - all of which came in multiple doses. This may not have been the life they pictured and pursued for themselves at 25 - but sitting there watching my father a bit later crawl on all fours to play with his granddaughter as my mom chatted with my sister about how she couldn't wait to get the camera working so she could get some pictures of the sight before them; I doubt either would change where they're at now for those dreams of their far off youth.

And early this morning I had the brightest moment of my day. Believe it or not, this came whilst I was but still half awake on my way to the ever dreaded work. I happened to glance eastward whilst driving and saw a sunrise of mythical poetry or an exagerated painting. And for a moment it was mine - a mixture of orange and purple cracking through the clouds giving color to the grey. For a brief moment I wasn't driving to work but rather being in a moment and saying a pray of thanks to God for that moment he gave me.

Tomorrow is New Years Eve to be followed by the year which will see the first outwardly noticable changes in my life. I am going to have to roll up my sleves and begin to pursue that life I want. This is not to say that I haven't been working already, but much remains to be done - and each step is more difficult than the one before it. But for this night, the last full one of 2004, I shall relax and reflect the joy and change of the past year. And I shall rest.