Anticipation

This summer is proving to be a season of enjoying friendship, beautiful sunny days with warm water, delectable food, creative inspirations, and blossoming love. And on top of it, an anticipation for the good things that are to come.
In a matter of a few weeks, Robbie (my sweetheart) and I will be journeying to northern Michigan. This past spring we ventured to the wine regions in Traverse City. Absolutely wonderful! He has not been north of there, so we shall journey to the Upper Peninsula, Mackinaw Island, Harbor Springs, Petoskey, and everywhere in between. Pictures will be posted, I promise that! On the journey we get to meet up with good friends Karin, Deb, Jessica, and Matthew.

Then come auditions for Spring Awakening and Next Fall both being produced by Actor’s Theatre. I simply cannot WAIT!

In the meantime, this weekend holds what promises to be an outstanding Arabic meal. Speaking of Arabic food…I’m still waiting on some dried mint from my Palestinian friend. He and his wife collected numerous bags FULL of beautiful mint from their garden.

Mint is interesting. I absolutely hated it until only a few years ago. The sharpness and intensity of it terrified me. Then, as I was working in my old Chef’s home herb garden and was taking in all the smells, textures, and tastes of each herb, my experience changed. Suddenly the earthiness and yet brightness of the mint astounded me. It had the ability to open and heighten my senses – similar to the effects of cilantro – but with a rougher dirtier taste. I fell in love with it! Add a little to salad with some lemon juice, or a sprig garnishing a fresh raspberry sorbetto or mixed-berry salad, or steep for tea…it’s an outstanding little weed! Haha. Yes, a weed. It grows everywhere! (Trust me, I have a patch willing to happily exist in my alley). I’m glad I got my hands in the dirt and explored the little bugger again. Seems to be what happens when we set aside previous notions and are willing to more fully explore something!

I guess that’s the way I see most things…if we aren’t willing to delve wholly into something, be it a concept, presupposition, person, food, or location, how are we to know what it is like? I guess I’ve been thinking about this idea a lot lately with different people. Why do some approach relationships with this idea that we must retain some of ourselves from each other and save it in case the other person isn’t what we anticipate or hope for? And I do not just mean physically. I'm mainly talking emotionally. How can one know if the relationship will survive unless you are completely involved and invested? To be honest, open, vulnerable and scared! Sure, there are warning signs that should be obvious and relationships that simply are not wise. But if we are anticipating it to be a long term relationship, we should fully exist with each other. I’m so happy that Robbie and I do this! I simply cannot imagine being partnered otherwise.

May we all move forward in life with anticipation for what is to come while completely existing where and as we are!