Where Rose Writes Very True Stories

Well, I’m now officially 39. That’s weird. When I was in 9th grade, I remember having an assignment that asked, “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?” And I wrote, “Gathering carts at Walmart.” The next question was, “Where do you see yourself in 10 years?” 10 years from that time, I would’ve been 24. That seemed SOOO far away…

What a ridiculous question, I thought. How can I possibly know where I’ll be in 10 years? How can ANYONE know where they’ll be in 10 years? I then snort-laughed and answered, “Still gathering carts at Walmart.”

I thought I was funny.

I was onto something, though. This time last year, we’d just got back from Europe, fulfilling a dream I’d thought was impossible. Last year, I never would’ve imagined that THIS year’s day-early birthday present would be bringing Canon home from a week-long stay in the hospital with severe pneumonia. As his health deteriorated for a while there, I felt completely swept away.

I can’t say what life’s going to be like ONE year from now, let alone 10.

But that’s why NOW is so important, isn’t it?

Now is the time to focus on dreams, on healing, on the people that matter most. Because then, wherever you land next year or 10 years from now—you can know you won’t have regret. You won’t be plagued by should-haves and might-haves. It’s the everyday things that matter most. It’s the time we take for granted that matters most.

It’s so important to check our trajectory every day.

These people are my everything. I am so grateful for them. I’m so grateful for this time I get with them. Today, I have been checking in with myself, resetting my everyday goals (complete with a notebook and calendar), because I want to be present with them each day, not just treading water.

Anyway, it’s been an AMAZING day, because we’re all together!! Canon is home and so much better! I got to relax, eat too-much good food, play a game with my kids (and have a philosophical discussion with Dexter where he later said, “I love having these talks with you!” which made me so happy), watch Final Destination with Paul… also went on a walk, and DANG, that sky, man! I live in a Bob Ross painting.

What a perfect day.