Connection is Everywhere...

We are lucky enough to live right next to a forest preserve that has a beautiful bike path running through it. It goes far north to Milwaukee and as far south as Chicago. It’s a path that sweet Michael and I have taken together for years and it’s laced with memories of him. It’s been a source of comfort that has also come with some tears and emotional moments. I find much peace amongst the magnificent trees, the silence and magic of the forest and the animals that live there. Some days reliving those moments with him feels good to my soul and on other days it feels like a knife through my heart.

I particularly enjoy weekend rides because I ride through forest preserve grounds and on the weekends people flock to the pavilions there to host parties and celebrations. I thoroughly enjoy that perspective of an outsider looking in. It’s beautiful, and an honor, to experience someone else’s celebrations. I slow down as I ride past and look at the different groups, the kids running around, the elders circled around each other in chairs, the activities going on, the music, the different cultural traditions… and I listen very closely to the sounds of JOY and connection. The chatter and buzz of the conversation, the laughing, the signing, the shrieking… I get to be see and hear someone else’s joy, someone else’s milestones and to have a view of someone else making memories right in front of me.

This Sunday I rode by one of these celebrations and it was HUGE celebration that stretch the length of much of the path through that particular forest preserve. The path had a curve in it which was sort of the middle of the celebration and then it continued for several more feet and then the path tucked back into the forest. Can you picture this?

I rode out of the forest along the path that was edging the open preserve where I was witnessing the celebration of a 3 year old’s birthday party… I slowed my pace and took my earbuds out so I could visually and audibly take it all in. How did I know is was a 3rd bday bash? The golden #3 balloons that were being whipped around by the wind were a dead giveaway. There was loud ethnic music that I couldn’t identify… there were multiple generations with locked arms dancing moving left to right, throwing their legs in the air and abruptly changing directions… they were singing, smiling and laughing. There were people watching the dance clapping or dancing in place, kids running around, a group of older men in a circle of chairs using their hands to talk, as one bounced a little boy on his knee. There were several large grills, grilling food that smelled incredible, tables of 9x13 tinfoil pans filled with food and a massive table of treats. I was immersed in the music, the colors, the smells, the sounds, the movement and suddenly I met eyes with 3 of the men who were manning the grill nearest the path. With a smile and a head nod I rode back into the forest on the path. I thought about how beautiful it was to get to be a part of that…just a stranger looking in, but I left with a piece of their joy. I thought about how they are making memories, right in that moment that they will talk about and remember forever. That night they will come home tired, talking about a day in the sun, with family and friends celebrating a little angels 3 big years of life. They will shower, rest their feet, warm up some leftovers and sleep soundly… and I got to be a part of this and carry with me some of their joy. Because joy is contagious. It reminds me how beautiful connection is and that its everywhere if we choose to connect to it.

I rode several more miles before turning around to ride home, it was a 2 hour ride door to door. As I was coming back up to this party, on my way home, I saw a woman running over to the path as I was approaching and I slowed down afraid I would hit her. Then she started waving to me. So I stopped my bike and took out my earbuds… she approached me with a huge smile which put me at ease.

“We saw you ride by a little while ago, you were starring at us…” and she paused looking at me with dark brown eyes that were breathtaking and comforting.

I laughed “Oh, yes, that… I didn’t mean to offend you, I was just taking it in. The beauty of it ALL…, the families, the dancing, the music, the conversation, the smell of the food, the love, the connection, the joy. I could see how that would look bizarre and a touch odd to you..”

At this point two of the guys from the grill, a little girl and a couple of other women were near us smiling and listening in. She interrupted with a smile, “No, absolutely not, you had a smile on your face so we decided if you rode back by we would have you come with us! Come on over, we will teach you the dance and feed you…”

Guess what I said? #YES because in my life I try to say YES as much as possible… to my kids, to opportunity, to a request, to life. I #SayYes to life.

“I probably won’t be dancing, but I would be honored to be a part of this celebration… this is so fun! I don’t have a ton of time, but I would love to.” So I went and submerged myself in their celebration… their food, their dancing, their conversation, their laughter, their joy and their connection. It touched my heart so deeply and was a beautiful experience that I will forever be grateful for.

I thanked my hosts, gave a couple of hugs, hopped on my bike and took my full heart home. I turned a corner about a mile from home and saw these precious creatures and the tears began to fill my eyes. Simultaneously I felt complete joy and also a deep longing for Michael.

We move forward, life goes on…hearts still beat, lungs still fill with air, two year olds become three year olds and we move forward with the love of and connection to those around us.

#SayYes #BigBeautifulLife #MissingMichael #WidowsWords #GratefulHeart #MyDanceWasAwful #ButFun #Connection #ConnectAndBeWell #SeekAndBeWell #BikeRidesHeal #Nature #Love #One #WalkingEachOtherHome