"Rejoice in the things that are present; all else is beyond thee." ~Montaigne

Being present on my journey means being aware of what is around me.

I have been overwhelmed with the busyness that always comes with being away on a trip and then coming back just in time for a holiday. As you know, my husband is a pastor and Easter is a very big event for us, as I'm sure you can imagine. I had a mini-meltdown in Smartn'Final and wanted to just cancel our family's ham dinner and just go home to bed. Thankfully, my very loving husband heard me out and then basically helped me "get a grip". He suggested that I clear out some of my schedule and I did. Then we went home and all worked together to make a beautiful Easter dinner. The kids also colored eggs and I was able to enjoy that too. =)

I worked a half-day the day after Easter and then took a nap when I got home. I had to. It felt great - but then I had to get up and get ready for my first mamogram - ever. I'm not going to lie. I was nervous. It actually wasn't that bad. A bit uncomfortable, but I'm glad to have gotten it completed. I had been dropped off because my husband had to go pick Hannah up from volleyball practice. I called him to let him know that I was ready to be picked up, but he would be a while. That's fine, I thought. I will go for a walk. I walked all the way to a shopping plaza and headed straight into a Borders bookstore. I took my time, bought a iced drink and flipped through a Somerset Studio magazine. Nice.

I knew he'd be coming soon, so I headed outside and sat on a bench to wait for him. I was appreciating the beautiful day and thinking how thankful I was that I could get a breast screening done. I was thinking of my dear friend Kay who is currently fighting breast cancer. As I thought about her and how SHE has encouraged ME lately, I noticed the bougainvillea plant growing in front of me. It was on the corner and you could tell that it took quite a beating from just about every person that passed by. It suffered many dry dead patches...but there right before me was a heart. My face immediately lit up. I felt like the heart was there just for me!! I had to take a picture of it - and so I did...with my phone. lol

I've had a lot on my mind these days, and sometimes it feels so heavy. I am glad that I am learning to enjoy the little things. Taking each moment and looking for the good. Being present. So important.