Anticipation, looking forward, is its own reward. I've learned to savor it as I get older. But again, it's only noticeable against contrast, the background of a long practice of trying to stay in the present. Only when anticipation is rare, a vacation so to speak, do I really feel I've earned it. Otherwise, it can be just an escape, a way to deny what's going on in the present. I grew up in a family of escapists, so I know all-too-well the feeling of looking forward to the next treat - let's say dessert (to complete the metaphor) - to avoid eating one's vegetables.
But when one's earned it by long patience and forebearance in the face of frustration, anticipation is delicious! And Ronni Bennett over at http://www.timegoesby.net/weblog/ has earned it, with a long year-plus of living in limbo while waiting to sell her house in NYC and move to Maine. She's been wonderfully restrained about the daily frustrations of having to keep her living-quarters free of clutter all the time, so realtors can come over at a moment's notice to show the place to potential buyers. She's managed to post thoughtful, well-reasearched essays on Aging every single day amidst this constant interruption, and she's disciplined herself to wait patiently to sell her home before going new-home shopping. She's kept herself admirably in the present.
So happy birthday, Ronni! Anticipation of the coming year in a new place must make this one of the best days ever.
Oh, thank you, ML, for the birthday greeting. It wasn't so much restraint, you know, as not wanting to make a damned fool of myself announcing house sales that didn't materialize into signed contracts. And I'll be nervous until I have the proceeds of the sale securely in my hand.
Posted by: Ronni Bennett | April 08, 2006 at 06:28 AM