A Day of Advice

It was a full day, and I plan to use it all up. 

Because it's a good feeling.  It's that feeling of excited exhaustion. 

The lights are on outside, the dog it upstairs with K, and Kelle Hampton's music selection is blasting over the squeaky toy that I'm so glad I don't have to deal with right now. 

This may not last, but I'm excited for work tomorrow. I'm looking forward to the full week.  April is here and it is a great month, showers and all.  It starts out cool and reminds me of my roots.  Cool air blowing with overcast clouds in the sky.  It hits my cheek and I feel like I'm in mossy woods.  The rain finishes out the day and pitter-patters against the open window.  The month ends in full bloom, with sun covering every corner.  And, even though I'll be in an office all day, I do not fret because that office of mine has eight windows.  I will be there, right along April, the whole time. 

I may be happy tonight because I might have had a wonderfully perfect Sunday.  It started off with a three hour talk with Theresa.  I did not brush my teeth until two o'clock because we caught up, each of us having that be the first thing we did today.  A talk with her is good for the soul. We just get it and we know it. 

And thus started my day of advice.  Because I know she calls to check in, and I know she calls to renew her spirit, and I know she also calls because she needs someone who can help.  So, I gave advice and I listened.  When it comes to Theresa, I am a very good girlfriend.  She's taught me how. 

Then the advice continued.  With my mom who was hurt from another disappointment.  To K, who is overwhelmed and just needed to get away from the books for awhile.  And even to Lilly, who I advised not to chew on that stick. 

I'm not an expert at much.  I'm a good nurse, an amateur gardener, a lapsed pianist, a first time dog-mother.  But, it feels good to know that others trust me for my advice. 


So, inspired by that trust, I spent the afternoon gardening and searching.  Gardening by planting peas and scavenging the woods for the perfect sticks to hold up green beans.  I worked up a sweat, which made that cool breeze even homier.  I finished at dusk, satisfied that onion sets and peas were resting beneath the dirt.  Then, I plugged in the lights that I may not unplug tonight, and kicked off my shoes. 

That feeling of grass against bare feet was what I've been waiting for all winter long.  Hello Spring, stay awhile. 

And searching.  Because I started my day with Theresa, I wanted to end the day as well.  So, I scoured book shelves across town, until I was satisfied with the right ones to send her way.  I chose perfectly dainty stationary to write what advice I had left.  And, I chose for her an inspirational journal, because that's what every girl needs.  Like mine, but with pretty little birds. 

I wrote her a note and talked about the books and all the things that make me happy.  So that she could use them on days that I'm not there.  Like Ingrid Michaelson.  And Kelle Hampton's blog.  And making lists of beautiful things.  Then I wrote her some things in that journal, to get her started.  Sprawled out all over the bed, music still blaring, but dog toy silenced now, I feverishly write words that got me through it. 

Like:

Bite off more than you can chew.  Then chew it. 

Hope rises with the sun each day.  Remember, its even behind the clouds. 

and

In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me, there lay an invincible Summer. 



I may not be an expert at most things.

 But, I know now when the day should be seized and I know how to do it.