The Dash

Honey -

I'm at a RUK event. I am serving as a volunteer. At the moment we are at a cemetery. I am sitting by a headstone for Archie and Mildred Arnold. Their headstone says mama and daddy. Our kids call you mama...what a special and important name.

It's sad but also so real, one day we will no longer be on this earth. There are some headstones with just one person listed, how sad. There is something unique and special about a couple that stayed together, they figured it out, they didn't quit. What a gift. What a gift to themselves, their kiddos, and the world. I am committed to that being us.

Then there is the dash. The time they spent on this earth. It's quick. When I think about how quick it is it seems meaningless at first, like what's the point? But really, how beautiful, a gift that only lasts for a certain amount of time. Something you must maximize while you have it. I want to maximize the time I have with you. How often do we get in the way of enjoying the dash because of all the things we think are so important or the things we are "working on" or "working towards".

Funny, as I write this I have been thinking a lot about how I can default to my task list, doing everything the right way, I have been thinking about it as the Doing Ned versus Being Ned. Same could go for us, instead of trying to do life right, always trying to maximize, just be us, less pressure...I want to say less purpose and intention...but that's not it...I just want to be more like a kid with you, less worried about time, money, or what's next...be here and now with you. Present.

I just walked around a bit. Check out the below headstone...the Armstrong's. They were married for 70 years! So wild and they are burried here in the middle of some town in the middle of Texas. But it matters, their marriage mattered, but maybe not with the same pressures we put on ourselves (especially me) to get the most out of life. None of their accomplishments are listed other than their love for each other. Beautiful.

I love you.

I want to be with you.

I want us to enjoy being present together, in the messiness of life.