Life has an interesting sense of humor sometimes, and when you are not feeling your best because a cold is at your collar begging you to slow down, rest and take a deep breath, it is hard not to lose hope that you will ever get all you need done, let alone reach the dreams that dance in your mind every waking day. 

The past week began with a lovely, celebratory weekend on the coast with my mom to toast to her birthday (view a few pics here on TSLL's IG). The boys (Norman and Oscar) came a long, and we walked all of our legs off. It was ideal. Then a fortunate invitation which I accepted weeks ago arrived, and I returned to KATU in Portland to appear on two different talk shows (you can view both segments below). Upon walking into the green room for AM Northwest, I was greeted by the newly crowned Miss Oregon (the individuals I have the opportunity to meet each time I return is always an adventure, that in and of itself is a side benefit I look forward to). And then the cold ramped up to full "shut down Shannon" mode. I fought it. Oh, I tried, but I must admit, upon receiving oodles of freshly cut hydrangeas from a dear family friend who lives in Portland, I couldn't help but forget about the cold for a decent amount of time (until my head was so foggy, I was wishing people good morning when it was seven o'clock at night - argh!).  Needless to say, the house is adorned with the beautiful blooms, and it a lovely form of medicine which I am most fortunate to receive.

Almost like the dependable ebbing and rising of the tide, emotions were swung the other way in a much unexpected event, and the heart broke a bit (of the details I will keep to myself, but needless to say, I had hope; I let it be known, but learned I had placed it in the wrong hands). But the heart heals, the mind and soul learn and the journey continues to new and more unexpectly good places of that I am determined to help manifest. 

Now, rising up to the good, Norman looks at me with his ever-so patient eyes, resting his chin on the sofa, asking to be walked, and I count the goodness I am so fortunate to experience. How about you? How are you doing? Does life's sense of humor make you scratch your head sometimes? It is hard to see the reason in the moment, but striving forward is the best guarantee to finding more of what we originally had hoped for. It will arrive, we will experience it. We just need to learn and then proceed forward. 

To the weekend, here we go. Whether you are recuperating or rejoicing, relaxing or racing to your getaway, have a good few days doing as you wish. You deserve it, your life  journey needs the fuel because after all, it is the journey and how we travel it that becomes our story. Until next week, I'll see you on the blog.​​​​​​