Today’s lesson… find the joy in everything.
When I planned this trip several months ago I had this grand
idea of what it would be like to visit Canada in the fall. Walking around the
city in a nice comfy hoodie, enjoying a fresh cup of Tim Horton’s coffee, and
taking in the scenic views of vibrant foliage as I ventured around the
outskirts of the city itself. I pictured myself sitting at a table in the distillery
district taking in the hustle and bustle of people heading to their next
outdoor engagement or taking the ferry over to the islands to catch the views
of the skyline at sunset with nothing more than a light jacket to break the
wind off the water. An ideal image of
Canada at the peak of my favorite season, Fall.
While this postcard like vision manifested in my mind, you can only
imagine the potential disappointment that would ensue as I read the headlines
of the Toronto weather website yesterday.
“Toronto’s weather is so terrible right now that it’s even
colder than Alaska” “Rain, cold, wind and then some more rain” and the best one
yet “Winter weather predicted for the weekend” Ummmmm, say what?!?! Oh yes, it’s not a joke. It appears mother
nature has kindly decided that I needed a little more preparation for my
upcoming trip to Finland by way of skipping Fall and moving right into Canadian
winter this weekend. So, what now, I am too excited for this solo adventure to
abandon ship.
So today, less then 24 hours from my trip, I was walking out
of Starbucks with a steamy hot latte and my delicious chocolate cake pop into
the cold, wet rain that has fallen over North Carolina today. For a second, I
thought to myself, Ugh, this is not fun and it is only going to be worse this
weekend… but just a swiftly as that thought entered my mind this tiny handsome
little boy with his blue sneakers and grey sweater came into my line of sight.
His mom walking next to him with her hands firmly wrapped around her coffee and
the boy’s hands almost an identical match around his small little cup of hot
chocolate. I imagine if I had a son, this would inevitably be how we would
spend our mornings as well. In that instant, almost as if serendipitous, the
young boy flexed up his knees and lifted off the ground then came back down to
meet it with a loud splash. Droplets of water firing out in all directions. And
then… the boy let out this resonating laugh, you know the kind that becomes
contagious and energizing. And in that moment, all I could think was touché young
fella, touché! The joy resonated from this boy as evidenced by the enormous
grin as he continued this activity all the way down the sidewalk in route to
his car.
In that moment, I realized that with a little flexibility
and preparation, I too can experience the joy I was so much looking forward to.
So, on my way home I stopped at the only ski shop that probably exists anywhere
near me and purchased a few new items of clothing. I told the owner a little
bit about my trip and my need for winter clothing. He was so incredibly nice
and while assisting me with my shopping he proceeded to tell me the story of
the velveteen rabbit. Now, mind you, I have heard the story before, so I wasn’t
quite sure where he was going with it until I reached the register. At that
point he explained to me that he had been running this shop for a long time and
that occasionally, he looks out over the store and thinks of his items like the
rabbit stuck in the box. I was still a little confused, to which he explained,
this gear wants to go outside, it wants to play in the snow, it wants to go on
adventures and so I’m going to knock off 30% because I don’t want the price to
be what keeps them from an adventure.
Man, what a great guy! Thank you, kind sir, for your time, your story,
and your generosity!
So now I am all packed, mind you the wardrobe is a bit
different then originally planned but I am just as excited if not more for the
epic adventure. I intend to jump in the puddles, dance in the rain, and find
the joy everywhere I can. It may not be exactly what I had envisioned but I am beginning
to think it will be better than I could have ever imagined.
Come along and enjoy the journey with me on Instagram and Facebook at Hiraethandwanderlust and feel free to subscribe to read upcoming
posts!
Until then… Keep the Joy and Jump in the Puddles!
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