I spent a couple of hours on the balcony at the Quality Inn Creekside this morning before loading up the husband’s jeep and heading home. This weekend is winding down. I took a few to go over in my mind all the positive interactions and to reaffirm those vibes inside shoring up for the days ahead. I will be challenged emotionally and mentally as I adjust to being unemployed and begin the search for a new job.
Grand Master Willie Adams was such an inspiration last night as he engaged Angie Spencer and I in conversation and instruction on basic Isshinryu principles and order. To see someone as accomplished in the art as him get so excited about the crescent step, the seisan stance and the straight punch reminded me what it’s all about. Simple is better. Not just in karate but in life. There is an order to things that if followed will assure success. There is much to be learned in application of the basics. Timing is everything. Movement sets up timing. If you stay too long in one place you make yourself vulnerable. You control the ring and your opponent through movement. Standing still gives away your advantage and a static entity is not improving its chances of growth or even survival. Movement with purpose is essential. Movement without purpose is dangerous.
We drove by my Grandmother Reagan’s place. My cousin Tammy had inherited it after mom signed it over to Tammy’s Dad. She lived there with her family until last fall when the devastating fires burned through the Great Smokey Mountains National Park and with the help of winds in excess of 85mph hopped, skipped, and jumped through the town destroying homes, businesses, and taking lives. She lost everything and by all accounts was lucky to escape at all. The lot is sitting there now overgrown, the basement marking where the house stood. I spent many a summer at that house with my grandmother before she passed away. Another reminder that in this world nothing is secure. What is unemployment compared to losing your home and everything you had? What is losing your home and possessions compared to losing your wife or child or parent to unexpected natural disasters while on vacation celebrating life? 13 people died in those fires if I remember correctly.
Driving out of town towards Cosby I looked up to my right to the line of Mountains and marveled at the peaks shrouded in dark grey cloud cover. I like to look at those mountains and smile contentedly to myself. I have been up there or there abouts. As I get closer to Cosby I know I have looked down from those lofty heights. I have climbed those mountains explored those trails looked down on the valley I am traversing now. I will climb those mountains again and again in the coming months and years God willing and I will make my way through the valley as well. That is the key. Movement with purpose!
I called mom after we ate. She pup sat Little Luke Skywalker and Scrappy our two toy chihuahuas. Maximus, my best friend in the whole wide world, Jackie Black, Ares, Keiko and Mugsey were keeping an eye on the homestead for us. Yes I do need all these dogs! I saw a canvas poster on FB with that quote!! I need the canvas to compliment the pups. Mom said she would bring the guys down to the farm so we headed in. My dogs like to meet me as I drive in. The drive is getting rough, nearly a mile long, it is dirt and gravel and washed out in places with deep mud holes in other places. The guys wait near the end and rush out to escort me in with much barking and excited leaping about! It is nice to be appreciated so!!!
MrsSmithsLifeUnexpected 