A Day Off

I took the day off from work today.  It is a cool, rainy day, which isn't so bad since I have a bike commute of over 16 miles round trip to and from work.  I have masterfully chosen these wet days to miss work since I began biking in June.

One of the blessings of this day is just plainly taking myself out of my normal routine.  It offers a fresh perspective and insights that I normally  miss.

We began home schooling our children (ages 14, 7 and 5) last January so this fall was our first transition from "summer break."  (Our version of home schooling is very unstructured so the difference between pre and post Labor Day is minute.)  In any case, we have all felt the shift in energy from Summer to Autumn. 

I was so grateful this morning to spend time with my kids, leisurly doing some arithmetic with my boys in the morning and cooking some homemade hashbrowns and eggs for lunch.  My wife Davianne and daughter Zoe joined in on the feast - a quiet, relaxing meal that we never would have been able to share had the kids been in school.  It was magical!

The boys go to a great "after school" program at Linden Hills Park where they hang out with about 15 other kids from Kindergarten to 8th grade, playing games, doing art, cooking etc, leaving me with a wonderful afternoon to enjoy with my wife.

I have many things to be grateful for this Autumn...great food to eat, a warm home and plenty of firewood to enjoy over the next few months.  I have a healthy family, a job that supports us and a great healing and teaching practice. 

It's nice to feel this and use it during times of stress or disconnection.  A great day off indeed!