TRUTH & DISCOVERY...

Hi, my name is Annalee. I am 35 years old.
The following are true tales from my life recently.

I have laughed at my kids for wearing crocs with socks.
I often (mentally) mock how dramatic people are about weather.
Last weekend I discovered that when i'm chilly I too turn weather dramatic,
and I am not exempt from making dramatic fashion choices.
I may borrow an emergency pair of socks from a friend to wear with my moccasins
and pile on all coats found in the car in attempt to stay warm for a chilly fall football game.

We recently enjoyed a double date and ate the freshest, best four course seafood dinner.
On the way home I discovered I am still quite allergic to at least one of the items consumed.
The parking lot by our house was as close to home as I made it before getting sick,
and all are extremely glad it rained for days after the incident.

I am dabbling in workout class participation.
I discovered I actually like them and may have a tiny bit of strength after all.
After completing one class I decided to get ready at the gym for the first time ever.
I discovered it really helps to bring a towel in addition to a change of clothes & toiletries.
Paper towels are only marginally helpful after a shower.

This summer a friend and I won fun mom points one evening during adult swim.
While the kids had to sit on the side for ten minutes, we had diving board competitions.
The kids scored us and I discovered they are extremely tough judges
(I did get a perfect 10 on my frog jump though).

The entire next day I spent with my head tilted to the side from all the fluid that was stuck.
And two months later I still had water jigging around and so I went to my son's ENT.
They give me a hearing test and I felt like I was back in elementary school.
I discovered sometimes a professional is needed in removing blocked water in the ear canal,
and my diving board days may (or may not) be numbered.

Once upon a time I set baby Graham on a hay bale for a picture.
He tipped over, fell off, and all those passing by collectively gasped.
This month he had his kindergarten field trip at that same farm.
Except I accidentally took him to the wrong farm (that is 20 miles away) first.
I discovered that often time it's hardest to forgive myself,
and simultaneously discovered what grace looks like up close.

I log many extra miles and humblings, but eventually arrive.
It has been at least two decades since I went to a waterpark or the fair and proudly wore those plastic armbands like jewelry ridiculously long afterward. But here I am today with my farm field trip armband still on.
Nowadays it is not so much to brag about where I went, but rather as a reminder to myself.
I am discovering (one day at a time) how truly valuable it is to soak up lessons all along the way.
And of course, to never stop learning.