Almost a year ago today Spanky and I were standing on a balcony overlooking Bourbon Street watching all the oddities—a guy putting a python on a woman’s head—and partying that New Orleans had to offer. (This was at the actual peak of the coronavirus, before anyone was really paying attention.) A couple weeks later, the world shut down.
Suffice it to say, life has been different since then. For a lot of people, it’s been difficult to find a reason to celebrate, but I can’t help but buck against the “new normal.” While Bourbon Street may be silent this year, I think it’s safe to say that the party will go on—as it should!
Life must go on.
My current Bible study is called “The Fight to Flourish,” and it’s about flourishing amidst difficult times (wonder why they chose that one?) It’s been a great reminder to “be present”—a phrase I have tattooed on my torso as a daily reminder, but one I forget to look down at and read. Isn’t it funny how everything begins to just blend in? I literally have the words “BE PRESENT” in all caps inked into my skin and I forget about it.
We can’t forget. We can’t forget to be present. We can’t forget to live our lives. We can’t take the things that are etched in our flesh, but sometimes forgotten, for granted. And, we can’t forget to see the beauty in the chaos.
Never stop celebrating. Be present, be hopeful, but mostly, live today because tomorrow is not promised.
**This weekend Spank and I celebrated Valentine's Day with wine tasting and dinner at our favorite "Rebel Restaurant" House of Oliver. Check it out!