Need an Outlet...

During the months of June, July, and August, I am fortunate enough to have three-day weekends, but I end up with 10 hour workdays Monday-Thursday. This set-up works quite nicely, and I wish it could be this way during the actual academic year. Most years I've embraced Fridays, sleeping in and being as lazy as I'd like. That has not changed completely, but Fridays have been quite difficult for the past two months, which is when I received the call from one of my god sisters that my "second" mommy had passed on from this world.

I realize she is out of her pain. I know she lived a good life. I feel her presence and spirit in so many ways. But, it does not remove the pain or the memories of how that Friday played itself out. No matter how prepared you are for death, you're never really...

So, my Fridays presently are avoidance days. I try to find activities to fill my time and keep me from reflecting or thinking too much about that Friday that was only about eight weeks ago. And, truth be told, I've managed to do a pretty good job of having things to do. Beach visits, amusement park fun, traveling, and shopping...even mixed with a little cleaning! Particularly, my recent venture to the nearby shopping outlet is what developed the title and today's stream of thought. Outside my bag it read: "Need an Outlet...Kenneth Cole". Catchy and cute, huh? Well, I thought so!

I thought more and more about the phrase on the bag while getting birthday gifts together for my brother and sister-in-law, and began to really get the fact that outlets are so needed...and for a variety of reasons. My brother from Tampa had an impromptu visit coming to see his best friend get married; however, this visit has served as an outlet for him. He has always been the one to have distance from home due to his work, and we knew his being away served as THE outlet for coping with the loss of our father. This recent trip has given him some opportunities for closure that I think were necessary and right on time, which is great to see.

I also found my recent outlet being back with family--the immediate and extended. I was in the presence of love, peace, and goodness. Every family has its dysfunction(s), but it is being able to embrace all of that and dig through the surface in order to reach the core and very essence of what makes such a group special. It is the history, knowledge, and memories. It is the understanding that these are beings who share your blood and the connection was a divine order. They make me who I am--the good and bad. I joined hands in the room with generations of me, as we prayed over the family and food. I sat with my cousins, picking and laughing. Joined my aunties in the kitchen to steal some cooking tips. Hugged my daddy's best friend and caught up on life with my niece. Talked world and personal issues. Laughed. Loved. Lived.

I don't feel the need to end on a profound note in this "complex simplicity". Hopefully, you have some nearby inexpensive outlet of your own. What I've found, though, to be pretty true is just when you really feel you're hitting rock bottom or can't keep going on, the Divine knows what you need to replenish you and help you continue the journey, realizing life's not so bad after all.