3 Good Things

keeping it simple

1. This Piece

Written by Chad, one of our Heart Write Soul participants in 8-10 minutes.

Photo by Charles Betito Filho on Unsplash

My Best Damn Life by Chad Abbott

Forget everything you’ve ever been told about getting old.
You may have just had your first hearing loss test and are
about to cross the great half century mark, but you can
still dance in your taupe tiled kitchen to the 80’s greatest hits playlist.

You can still go to the movies and sneak in snacks under your coat.
You can still learn to knit, write with grit, or how to play the saxophone.
You can still skip out on a meeting and slow walk your way through the art museum.
You can still sing out loud in your car as you play the drums on your hot summer steering wheel.

And you have permission to scream at God that it is a travesty
for a lunatic to take us to war just to enrich himself,
and also know that God will nod in agreement while a tear
drips down the left cheek of the divine ruining Her mascara.

The world may tell you that you are too ancient for new technology,
that it is impossible for you to learn new tricks, or that your grey streaks strip you of your beauty.
All this will make you feel as if you are disappearing right before your bright and glorious
divine eyes, and you’ll simply want to fade away and give up.

But hell, it’s your only life. And you are just as beautiful as you ever were.
So, tell the age concierge to leave you to your justified joy, and if anyone asks,
I’ll be on the pickleball courts dominating, shouting to the sky at my salacious overhead slam,
and living my best damn life.

Chad, thank you for giving me permission to share.

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2. Artemis II : Our Emotional Support Astronauts

Witnessing the Artemis crew’s support, camaraderie AND return safely? Ahhhhh - big sigh of relief. These four astronauts delivered HOPE in a time that felt hopeless.

Added Bonus: Trauma healing for those of us that watched The Challenger in real time on a TV that was rolled into our classrooms during the 80’s. Watching Artemis in action made me cry - more than once. #cratercarroll

Another Unexpected Bonus: Our family is lucky enough to know one of the Navy corpsman that welcomed the Artemis crew back home. Our son, Tommy and Cameron (our Uncle Cam, as our kids refer to him), did many tours together, so imagine our surprise when we learned of this good news!

Uncle Cam is far left wearing a big smile :)

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3. Pope Leo Standing Up for Peace

Y’all know that I have my own issues with Catholicism, but the one thing I truly admire and believe in is the power of prayer.

Not only did Pope Leo call for the ENTIRE world to join in a Prayer Vigil on Saturday, he continues to demonstrate his commitment to cultivating PEACE and renouncing war. (we’re looking at you Donald Trump - you idiot).

I lit my candle, and joined the mass livestream. And honestly? I was surprised at how much peace it gave me. I have forgotten the power of communal prayer. Right now, more than ever, unity is a salve. Let us rub shoulders with other kindreds who know this deep, deep down.

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This week I will travel on a maiden voyage to Santa Fe, New Mexico to co-host a writing retreat with John Roedel . I feel oddly calm, so I take that to mean God is already doing Her work on our hearts. If you remember, please hold up our group in good juju and prayer. I can’t wait to see what Santa Fe will teach us.

Be well.

I love you.