Stream of Consciousness

One of the coolest parts of my job is the opportunity I am given to learn about people.  I enjoy hearing about what makes people tick. How their experiences have shaped them.  What they hope for and dream about.  I enjoy trying to understand how they think.

There are times, though, when the people I work with have a difficult time capturing their thoughts.  The thoughts are plentiful, but sometimes the thoughts are fleeting and difficult to identify.  When a situation like this arises, I like to give an assignment.  In the assignment I ask a person to set aside a specific amount of time (10, 15, or 30 minutes) and just write, unfiltered.  The goal of this assignment is to gain a better understanding of an individuals thoughts. 

The assignment is called. . . Stream of Consciousness. 

Here is mine. . .

Last week I had a doctor’s appointment.  At my 20 week ultrasound, we learned that I had a very slight case of placenta previa.  They assured me that the problem would likely take care of itself, but we would do another ultrasound in a couple months to make sure all was moving in the right direction. 

The ultrasound showed that the problem had, in fact, taken care of itself.  This time, however, we found out that our little bundle is breech.  Our little one has 10 whole weeks to change positions and I did assure the doctor that I would be spending a lot of time standing on my head to be sure that he/she will slip into the right direction.  She didn’t think that would help. . . but I’m not convinced.

I was also informed that it is time to stop running.  Apparently, the contractions I have experienced for an entire day after a run are a bad thing.  (Yes, I have had two children before).  I’m stubborn, though, and gave it another go today with little luck.  Apparently, this babe is not real pleased with my running.  So after standing on my head I will be heading out the door at a walkers pace from here on out. 

That’s okay. . . I’m dealing.  We are experienced at turning lemons into lemonade.  Speaking of  making lemonade. . . it turns out that this whole Charlie going to school thing hasn’t been that bad.  After the initial bitter swallows, I’ve found that the anticipation was far worse than the reality.  Not only does my little guy come home with papers, stories, and new experiences, but Chanelle and I have made the most of our one on one time together.

She’s become my little kitchen helper and I’m loving it.

Not only can this girl peel potatoes. . . she can mash them, too. 

I’ve learned that we make quite a team.  Where I used to rush through the making of dinner, I’ve found that these afternoons together have been so fulfilling.  I’ve helped her stretch herself and she’s helped me to slow down and enjoy the moment. 

This week is the county fair in our town.  It’s a pretty big deal in our community.  In fact, today was fair day and all the schools were out so that kids could go to the fair.  (Apparently, Saturday and Sunday do not provide enough hours at the fair.) 

Anyway, we have never taken our kids to the fair.  We keep it pretty hush, hush that the fair is even going on.  We prefer to keep them in the dark about it.  What they don’t know won’t hurt them, right?  There are times when I wonder if we are scaring them by prohibiting this awesome opportunity that, it seems, every other person in our county experiences.  Years from now will they be sitting in therapy telling someone how if only they had experienced the fair. . . life would be more complete. 

Yes, some kids get the fair but our kids. . . our kids get so much more.  Experiences like jumping on our bed or jumping in a bounce house that just happened to be set up outside a restaurant we dined in. . .

Or playing with saw dust and wood floor scraps that still linger in our garage. . .

Yep, some kids get Ferris wheels and elephant ears, our kids get saw dust and wood scraps. . .don’t tell me they are deprived.

As you can see my thoughts are fleeting and random this evening.  In essence, that is what a stream of consciousness is.  A peek into someones brain can be scary, but I think it’s fun.  Truth is, I’m a bit distracted as I anticipate the events of tomorrow. . . As you read this I am likely taking my first landscape photographs and I’m a bit nervous about it.