Unpack
A reminder to slow down and let go and be. Because you can slow down and let go and be.
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My hands were full as I carried my suitcase across town.
I was 3 blocks in with about a thousand to go when my hands became tired and sore.
I guess the 20 push-ups I do every night haven’t prepared me to carry a suitcase across town.
Sorry for bragging about all the push-ups.
I wanted to stop.
I wanted to put the suitcase down and get a cup of coffee and maybe a donut.
I always want a donut, but I needed to get to where I was going.
I cut through the park to save a couple of minutes.
The sidewalk was full of people slowly strolling, taking in the beauty of another day.
Their slowness was my demise.
Is there anything worse than a slow walker when you’re in a hurry?
I walked fast and frustrated.
Big, quick steps as I passed people on their left.
I moved with a pace that said, “I had somewhere to be” with a look on my face that said, “everyone move out of my way.”
I was annoyed by myself, but I had to get to where I was going.
I slowed down to catch my breath, switched the suitcase from my right hand to left, and saw a mother pushing her son in a stroller.
She was singing him songs like the ones my mother sang to me.
The boy’s hands were empty and shoulders relaxed.
He pointed at the birds and clapped his hands.
He waved to strangers with a smile that would make strangers smile.
He waved to me, but all I could give was a head nod because my hands were full of all the things I was carrying.
The boy had his whole life in front of him.
His hands free and head up and eyes wide and I hope it stays this way for him.
The look he gave me said, “Why are you carrying all that?”
And I didn’t know how to tell him that this is just what happens when you get older.
Your hands become full.
Along the way you pick things up, things you can’t put down, things you don’t want to put down, things you don’t know how to put down, things you end up holding onto.
Along the way people give you things to hold onto, things you want, things you don’t want, things you didn’t think you’d ever have to carry.
And it’s heavy.
But what are you going to do?
Life just becomes a lot to unpack.
And I have to get to where I am going.
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Mmm, the infamous "have to ___"...