Leap

For My Friend AMDP --

I made this a few months ago with my friend AMDP in mind (Thanks, AMDP, for introducing me to the Joan Anderson’s writings). She is one of only two of my “real life” friends who know about this blog. I think AMDP reads fairly regularly and sometimes checks out a few of the blogs on my blogroll list. Though we do not see each other often, we have managed to keep in touch with each other in our own haphazard fashion through nearly thirty years (Gasp! Has it really been that long?).

So, A, if you're reading, this one prints up real well. I can send you a copy if you'd like.

Little did I know when I was creating this that I would be taking my own bold and scary leap of faith.

It all began one morning at work when my husband called and said they wanted to do something for him, and they had intended to talk to him earlier, but didn't, and now, they had to have an answer today, this very afternoon.

Do you know how hard it is to commit to a week-long trip when things are so unsettled at home? Do you know how badly I needed to get away (and hubby too). My heart was saying "thank you God" as I told my husband I would have to think about it and call him back. Actually, about all I could say out loud was "Wow". I got off the phone and called my "guide for proper motherly behaviour", my own mother, and asked her what she thought. She said go for it. I called my older daughter and she said basically the same thing. I was worried that I was being selfish, because things are unsettled with my son (though he is in a protected place at the moment). The last few years have been such a battle, for many reasons, and I can certainly use the break.

I just never expected that my ship would come in in such an unexpected way, but it has, and it is mine, all mine, at least for the week of October 15 - 22! We're goin' on a cruise! We're taking in the Southern Caribbean on the Adventure of the Seas! I am so excited. I am so very grateful.

I plan to take gobs of photos. I plan to read and write. I plan to get up and see the sun rise at least once or twice. I plan to bring lots of sunscreen. I plan to spend some quality time visiting with God on that great big ocean of His.

In the meantime, I will be packing and praying that things will remain calm enough around here so that I am not worried with what I am leaving behind. (I am also praying that through some fluke, we might get a cabin, room, (what do they call those things--quarters??) with a view of the ocean (and a balcony)...now that would be a miracle! Truth is, as long as I am not under the water line, or at least, blissfully unaware of it, I will be grateful. (Jim, do NOT tell me any different!)

(And please, God, no hurricanes. Leastwise, not while I am on the boat, I mean, ship.)