On Embracing a Less Hectic Life

October 18, 2020December 12, 2020

On Embracing a Less Hectic Life

Plenty of time for grandchildren lately.

Hello and happy fall 2020.

How are you? I hope you are well and staying safe. This is how many of my emails and text messages started out during the past several months. Sometimes I can’t believe what we are living through. Going into a store and seeing everyone in masks (generally) is now routine. Politics aside, I’m grateful that many in my area make this choice. Thank you to those that do.

Back in early spring, it became clear that the virus was around to stay. Several of my weddings rescheduled and initially I was worried, but then I wasn’t. As a person who has a hard time committing to a lighter schedule, it was a blessing of sorts to be forced into a quarantine bubble. It felt a little funny, but really, it felt like a relief.

No more pushing myself to do another thing, make another meeting, or meet a new social contact. I could stay in my pajamas until noon (without guilt!), drink endless coffee or tea, and unselfishly nap in the afternoon. I binge watched The Crown and Virgin River, and re-watched old movies. When I finally grew bored, I painted my kitchen and dining room. I reveled in hanging new decor, donating bags of stuff I didn’t want anymore, and rearranging my closets.

Summer brought the garden, lush with zucchini, peppers, and tomatoes. I bought zinnias early and put them into pots, later transplanting them into the ground when it was safe. I stood up to the weeds, then gradually gave into them as the summer grew hotter. We watched as new retaining walls went up in our front driveway, long overdue. Friends (and strangers) wanted our raw honey and we were happy to oblige. My sister in law’s little backyard pool became a haven.

What frame of mind have I embraced during this time? It is ok to slow down. I can indulge myself and my family with any amount of time I want. I don’t have to do everything that comes my way- I can choose to say no. Money is just money. There are other things more important. These are the inspirational gifts I feel I’ve been given during this time.

I downloaded a book- Jim Lahey’s My Bread. It so inspired me that I ordered a five quart cast iron Dutch oven to bake rustic bread loaves. The recipe is easy and the bread is amazing. I baked bread a few years ago but abandoned it due to my own busy schedule. Now I have the time, and I love it. You can’t get anything simpler or more joyful than baking bread.

What have you discovered about yourself during this pandemic? What changes have you made? What do you think you’ll hold onto after it’s all over?

I’ve learned that I can slow down and not feel guilty about it. It is my hope that after this time is all over (and it will be over eventually), I can continue to prioritize myself and my family. Committing to a less hectic schedule is something I’m set on accomplishing.

Be well. Stay safe.

May 3, 2020May 3, 2020

What I Can Be Grateful For Right Now

I have to say, this quarantine is quite the challenge. I’ve been fairly sequestered since March 14 and as the days wear on, staying positive feels like a daily chore.

Since I have spent the last seven years caring for my mom, my life was relatively simple. I had pared back my schedule, no longer working full time, but in the process started a part time business that has been my salvation.

But for wedding coordinators and other event personnel these are trying times. I’m working on a few ideas but business has come to an almost screeching halt. My husband is working from home and honestly, I’m relieved to have him here. From a standpoint of family safety, and for the income it provides, there is much to be thankful for.

What is getting me through? Well, besides coffee and chocolate, it’s Gratitude. Yes, that meaningful little word has become a daily touchstone for me.

In expressing what I’m grateful for, I’ll tell you what I did this morning. I awoke at 6:15 am, started the coffee pot, and walked outside to fill my bird feeders. I wiped the rain drops from my outdoor bench. By the time I walked back in the house, the coffee was just about ready.

I took a cup, a pillow, and went back outside. As I sat on the bench with my warm cup of coffee, I relaxed and listened. The birds were a musical cornucopia. There was so much singing among them, joyous sounds of morning bliss, that I couldn’t help but feel grateful for their chorus.

All day long, on and off, I check on my bird friends to see how they’re doing. I watch them intermingle with the squirrels. I wait for a new sparrow to choose my birdhouse for their next nest. The blackbirds position themselves on the rod where my feeders hang from, perching themselves to have access to the sunflower seeds. They all provide me with a daily reminder to be happy.

Along with the birds, I am in awe of what is blooming in my own backyard. This week I snipped branches of purple lilacs and made a vase full for both me and my mom. Their fragrance fills my kitchen. My peonies are budding, my roses are filled with fresh growth, and my azaleas are on the cusp. Every day I walk outside and look around, waiting for another flower to blossom.

I recently bought zinnias, dahlias, and a few herbs but here in Pennsylvania, it’s a bit too early to put them into the ground. So I have them in pots, outside during the day, and brought in for cooler overnight temperatures. I can wait. They are thriving and it won’t be long until it’s time to plant them in the ground.

One of my orchids has birthed six fresh blooms, with at least three more buds to go. To say they are beautiful is an understatement.

Not my orchids, but these are exactly what I have! Kelly Sikkema

If I just look around, I can find these simple reminders of beauty. This situation will not last forever. It takes a bit of emotional work to stay grounded. We have never had this type of global rest before and we may never have it again. Let’s cherish it.

April 12, 2020April 12, 2020

Message in a Chocolate

Within the confines of my current life situation, I am finding that little things have plenty of meaning. Where previously I might never have paid attention, for instance, to my peeling porch swing, I now find myself unable to take my eyes away from the paint job it so desperately needs.

I haven’t had time for that porch swing for ages. When we renovated the outside of our home years ago, I painted it bright red. It was a nice contrast to the white siding, blue trim, and blue shutters on the house. Seemed like a good idea at the time. The trim around my house is still blue, but that porch swing has really faded. Right now it’s in the basement, being primed for a fresh coat of paint.

I have always paid attention to certain things in my house, such as my plants, including my gardenia, cleanliness, organization, and good meals. Staying on top of things is important to me, even if I over do this to a certain extent. But lately, with more free time on my hands, and the world a little scarier, I find myself a bit more grateful, and well, humble.

I always read the messages inside of my favorite chocolates, but rarely did I keep them. Lately, I find myself not only reading them, but saving them. Those little pieces of silver foil are all over my house. Their tiny messages are my little inspirations of hope. Yes, I’ve certainly read them before but lately, why are they so poignant?

This one says, “Book the flight.” Well, how can I? The pandemic has shut just about everything down, including flights. We have no idea when we are going to be able to be on vacation again. Thankfully I didn’t have any big plans. Still, I keep this one because optimistically I think, we will book flights again someday.

“Live your life every day with no regrets. It’ll be worth it.” Now, this makes sense. I’m not doing much of anything so there’s less to regret. I’m happy with a warm cup of coffee, my slippers, and a good piece of chocolate.

“Keep life moving forward, looking backward is only for time travelers.” Another bit of sensible advice. Although memories, right now, can be comforting. I’m thinking about going through a box of old pictures some evening. (I’ve been meaning to do that for awhile now)

This last one, “Hands are meant to be held”, can probably make me cry if I think too much about it. I haven’t hugged my adult children in almost four weeks. I have been lightly hugging my mother but no kissing on the cheek as we always did. The first week or two of quarantine, I barely embraced my husband, likely out of some paralysis over the whole virus scare. Finally, I said to him one day, “I need a hug.” We squeezed each other and I’m hugging him more often.

This situation, this pandemic, has caused so much change in our lives. To avoid holding hands, hugging, and embracing one other is hard. I can’t wait to get back to physical contact. Until then, I’ll keep reading (and saving) those messages in my chocolates.

Opening photo credit- Christiann Koepke.

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