Packing. It’s part of a writers life. And that sounds so romantic. But the truth Is my brain looks like this –

I didn’t get the dog’s nails trimmed or his eardrops! Can I make it to vet at 7:30, down to Nashville for haircut, back to the woods home again. Pack. Write. Find my whats that stuff I’ll need in Miami. Remember to complete radio show for Sunday Night. Are we out of cat food? Ooh, no. Moses must have his brand.
My pants are dirty. Can I pack dirty pants? Will the hotel have a dry clean service? A fast one?!
Where’s my ticket email? Does Mother have everything she needs while I’m gone? I really need to get a note to the adorables. Oh, great, here’s there Halloween treats I never mailed. What’s wrong with me? Must get Penguin those written pieces they are asking for. Must remember to ask readers of Praying for Strangers if they would mind their comments and notes being published in the paperback. Can I star this thought in my brain? as I rush to choose which worn down pair of shoes to throw in suitcase? Make mental note on some other level: Must shop for new shoes. Where are those protein bars I bought? Why are they missing when I need to grab a plane?

And so it goes for this Pilgrim on the road. And yes, I’ve been meditating on that Proverbs 31 woman and trying to figure out when does she really EVER rest? She’s up burning lamps late and the firsts to rise and seems to be doing enough things to wear me out and – everyone around her is happy because she is doing such a great job of taking care of them in the midst of running what looks like a pretty major international enterprise. So much so that they rise up and praise her IN THE MORNING. (Insert mad laughter here).

Big Dog wakes up and praises me in the morning with big furry hugs, Moses wakes up and purrs me before I get out of bed and on the very best mornings, husband and I have a few minutes for just some (sappy alert warning) to cuddle before we start the day.

All of life seems rushed, too rushed beyond measure. But – a beautiful, writer friend Jolina Petershiem surprised me with a gift this week. A box showed up unexpectedly for me at my door in the deep woods. It was a beautiful thing filled with tea and a note that said, “In the middle of taking care of so many others don’t forget to stop and take care of yourself.”

I took a deep breath, actually made a cup of tea, picked up a novel and went outside. Then I relaxed and looked at the trees and felt the sun on my face and sipped tea and didn’t even read that book. Just a moment to pause, a stone in the river of a life that has been filled with so many unexpected rapids this year.

I pray that each of us, that you and I, take time for tea, for an oasis moment in the middle of our busy lives. Whether we are packing for Miami or trying to get the kids out the door to school, homework done, teeth brushed, – or our parents taken care of.

Time. Moments. Precious. Peace.

Worth the journey.