Yesterday’s Post

Awww man, this was yesterday’s post and I completely forgot. Yesterday was a day filled with unexpected tasks. Have you ever had one of those days? You just never seem to get the things done you planned to do because other, more pressing things pop up?

For me, these “other things” usually involve people. Someone who needs me to listen for a few minutes. Or someone who is having a difficult time outside of school and needs their class covered for a few minutes. Or someone who is overwhelmed and didn’t get writing workshop organized and needs a little extra help.

Then there are the people I pass in the hall who stop to share a story about writing workshop, or a story about one of their students, or a story about their family. And sometimes I share a funny story about writing workshop, or a touching story about a student, or a story about my family.

After school, my son and I ran to a store to pick up a birthday present for his friend. He wanted a chocolate milk and so we stopped, on a whim, and enjoyed a little drink together. Friends came over last night for dinner. Our conversation never lulled and our kids were content for hours. They stayed later than expected. A visit from a college-aged friend home on Fall Break made the night longer.

I didn’t blog yesterday. I thought about it throughout the day, but was sidetracked a few times. And then, by the time I could be alone with my computer it was late and I had forgotten. First thing this morning, I thought, Oh no! I forgot to blog!

I considered writing the post I intended for yesterday, “Celebrations.” Instead, though, this post is emerging. Posts like this are one of the reasons I rarely set my posts ahead of time. I like to capture life unfolding.

I’m trying to remember that people are more important than tasks. Yesterday I was given the opportunity to put this belief in practice. And I remembered my friend Nate. At his funeral, my husband and I ended his eulogy with these words:

Leo Buscaglia. It’s not enough to have lived. We should be determined to live for something. May I suggest that it be creating joy for others, sharing what we have for the betterment of personkind, bringing hope to the lost and love to the lonely.

Mostly though, Nate is with us as we slow down this busy life and make time to just listen to other people’s stories. Will you let this influence you too? Who do you need to sit down and talk with? It can be about nothing – music and pets and vegetables – it doesn’t matter. What matters is we find the time. Someday, you’ll look back and realize all of those small moments added up to something important, something special, something irreplaceable. Because, as we know from Nate, life is fragile. The housework and the homework and the to-do lists can wait. Sharing our stories and spending time with those who are important to us can’t.

Yesterday I was overwhelmed with all the things I needed to do. First thing this morning I was disappointed with myself for “slipping-up” and not blogging yesterday. And now, well now, I’m thankful I’m focused on people instead of tasks. Ironically when we shift our focus to making life better for the people around us, the tasks fall into place too.