Perspective is a funny concept. One day it looks like this and another it looks like that.
When my two children were tiny, any break from them seemed huge. A nap that stretched more than an hour? Heaven.
Preschool was a wonder. On the days it wasn’t my turn to assist in the classroom (it was a parent participation preschool) I had free time from 9:15 – 11:00. Wow; almost two hours. Imagine my delight when my youngest grew into the “fours” class with its two and a half hours. Simply magical. Then, the following year with morning Kindergarten extending the time by a whole 30 minutes, well, I couldn’t quite believe my luck.
Then the time perspective changed. Working from home, these child free three hours allowed me to get really immersed in a project. More often than not I was late for the school pickup. “What, only three hours to myself? I need more time!”
I got it with Henry’s entrance into grade one. That leap from three hours to six was phenomenal. Pure gold.
For the first two months or so.
As my children grew so did my social circle. I became good pals with the moms of their classmates. Together, we planned school carnivals, hiked the local mountains and whiled away the hours chatting in the local Starbucks. But there was always the constant 3:00 deadline. No matter where we were, what we were doing, we had to be back by 3:00.
Now, with my two currently far, far away, I can’t tell you how delightful it is to no longer have to cling to that rigid schedule. For the first time in 19 years, my time is my own. One of the perks is the ability to indulge in spending whole days with friends.
This past week I did just that. Jane, a dear friend, (we met years ago on the soccer pitch when our daughters were on the same team) and I made a day trip to the village of Fort Langley, a mere 30 minute drive from home.
The weather was glorious. An one-off for us; usually, when the two of us get together for a three-hour dog walk, it’s absolutely pouring.
Upon arrival, we parked alongside this magnificent building, the Fort Langley Community Hall which was built in 1931. Look familiar? It’s very popular for tv and movie shoots and most recently serves as Storybrooke Town Hall in the tv show Once Upon A Time.
Our first imperative was to grab a coffee from the charming Wendel’s Bookstore Cafe. Fortified with caffeine, we sauntered over the Village Antiques mall. With over 10,000 square feet and over 50 dealers, it highlighted another type of perspective: one gal’s junk is another gal’s treasure.
I defy anyone to not find something to add to the “must have” or perhaps the “won’t have” list.
Case in point: This delightful lamp with its tasselled shade. Lamb lovers rejoice! At least I think that’s what residing in Goldilocks’ lap as she listens to Lord Fauntleroy tootle. Forgive me if my observations are incorrect, it was perched high up on a shelf.
Perhaps your mantle is crying out for this gem. The tag read “… sitting on a dragon.” To me, it more closely resembled Harry Potter’s basilisk.
Maybe you’re looking for something as small as a button. Bound to find it here in one of these jars. Or perhaps a suitcase or six?
Then I happened upon this. It truly stopped me cold and taught me yet another lesson in the reality of perspective.
The framed advertisement unabashedly proclaimed: “I value my throat… that’s why I smoke Craven ‘A’.” This fact was underlined with an advisorial “Made Specially to Prevent Sore Throats.”
Yes, perspective is a funny concept. One day it looks like this and another it looks like that.
Do you feel the same? Or is perspective always a constant in your life?
19 Responses
Great post, Kelly, and what a gorgeous outing you had! Cool area. And yes, absolutely perspective changes for me all the time. When my first was an infant, I couldn’t handle leaving him with anyone else. I never thought there’d be a time when I could give up control and spend time away. I didn’t understand people who took “me” time. Now? things couldn’t be more opposite… I can’t get enough me time and think it’s imperative to survival! LOL
Just tripped upon this comment now Beth. Sorry for the late response. So so true about the early days of not believing one could give up control and spend time away from the littly. I remember that so well. “Me time?” What’s that? Mind you, looking back on those never ending early days of breastfeeding it was a treat to hurl my totally overly sated daughter at my husband …
Great post about our wonderful day together Kelly ! I am so grateful to have you to share these great adventures with as we enter this next phase of our lives ! It was such a treat to not have to keep our eyes on our watches for that 3 p.m. deadline !
Jane – I’m so sorry for not responding earlier. I just tripped over this comment just now. I am sosososo grateful that you commented and yes am more than delighted and grateful that I have you to share these fieldtrips with. Here’s to the next one!
What a fun post and what a delightful peek at your outing. The cigarette ad is amazing and a perfect example of how our perspectives can do complete turnarounds. I like to believe I’m open to having my perspecctives shift easily – it feels spacious and open to possibility. We often think about the blind-men-describing-an-elephant-in-vastly-different-ways-dependng-on-their-perspective story as an apt metaphor, but I like to think about what it would be like to be different facets on a jewel and imagine what each of those perspectives might be like. And I rather like the idea of being a multi-faceted jewel myself. 😉
A multi-faceted jewel! Love it Deborah. How great that you are open to having your perspectives easily shift. Leads to a varied and enriched life, no?
Hi Kelly,
Nice to meet you. I read your “My Story” page and it seemed as if you might be a bit lost without your kids at home, but that doesn’t seem to be the case! lol… What a wonderful new life you are making for yourself. Congratulations on making it through all those years on your own. Not an easy feat.
I am not a frequent visitor of antique shops, but I do enjoy them. One time, my husband and I were early for a show so we popped into one. It was fun to browse through and see the magical collection. It looked so much like what you shared that I wondered perhaps if they were dopplegangers? lol… Days with friends are precious. I work full-time, am a Mom and a blogger. When I get a day out with a friend it is a precious thing.
Dopplegangers – love it! Yes days spent with friends, true friends, are precious indeed. Thanks for stopping by Amy. I look forward to reading more of your posts.
Hi Kelly, stopping by from Michele Bergh’s blog challenge and I loved your story about wanting more time as our kids are growing up. Mine are 12 and 14 and I love them dearly but look forward to the day when I don’t have all the extra scheduling to do. Sounds like a lovely field trip and the building is beautiful. On perspective – my own shifts constantly about some things, influenced by time, new learning, etc. but about certain issues like values and relationships it remains constant. Loved this post!
Hi Minette. Thanks for stopping by. 12 and 14 is a busy timefor the chief scheduler! I remember it well. Your comment re perspective being influenced by time, new learning etc is so true. I can’t help but feel all of that helps us to live fully engaged and enriched lives. I look forward to getting to know you through this blog challenge!
Oh my goodness! I love that advertisement. Just goes to show you that just because the media says its good for you, doesn’t necessarily mean so. Good reminder to do your research.
So true Tiffany. So true.
Hi Kelly~ As an adventurer myself, I love this post. Finding new things, especially with a friend, is so important and fun. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Jennifer. Thanks for stopping by. Love that you are a fellow adventurer. I look forward to getting to know you through your posts.
This would be my kind of day, thanks for sharing
And thanks for reading! It was a really fun day – full of great memory makers.
Oh my Gosh, I totally get exactly what you are saying. It is amazing how much time we spend thinking about time as parents!-Ashley
Too true. I honestly still go into mini panic mode when it’s 3:15 and I’m nowhere near my kids’ elementary school. Not to worry they last attended it in 2008.