Everyone Believes

Believing in Goodness ©2014 Gary Garbett

Everyone believes in something. Pita and I talked about believing before her appointment this morning. Most of it centered on goodness. As you can tell, she had very little interest in having her photo taken before jumping in the truck. She was, however, more than vocal about jumping into the truck without her two brothers.

I’m always thankful for busy days at the office. Today I was especially grateful. Late this afternoon, I finally received the phone call that I’d waited all day for. The surgeon’s voice was filled with optimism as he shared the successful news of Pita’s three-hour cancer surgery. I was overjoyed. She isn’t completely out of danger, but today is far brighter this evening under the moonlight than it was at sunrise. She’s in recovery and resting overnight at the hospital so they can keep a close watch on her. If all goes well, the two of us will be headed home together late tomorrow afternoon. Tom Petty’s Runnin’ Down a Dream may just be our soundtrack.

Everyone believes in something. Some call it prayer; some wishes of goodness, and for others, it’s just some sort of fab juju thing. Whatever it is you believe in and whatever it was you sent Pita’s way in the past few days, I sincerely thank you from the center of my heart. Believing is the greatest gift.

Love and peace and goodness to you all.

Signs

My morning hours were decorated with signs of all kinds.

From breakfast sandwich special offers, to signs of direction, faith, sales, political banter, and even a bumper sticker on the car in front of me announcing, “I pooped today.” America loves signs. With all of the continual flow of economic and safety headlines, the signs from the moment I captured this image were telling: Gun Show, Firewood For Sale, and Nascar.

The only sign that appeared to be missing was a welcome mat.

Old is New

Old is New ©2013 Gary Garbett

Along with a handwritten note, a gift awaited me at my office yesterday. It was a morning of timely lost arts.

Motion of Peace

Standing ©2013 Gary Garbett

Days from the last week were not for memorializing the bitters of the past, but rather a celebration of the forward motion of peace.

just a man

Incognito ©2013 Gary Garbett

I've been incredibly fortunate to be lots of things in my life. Unquestionably, one of those things I'm most proud of was the younger version of myself as a youthful, dedicated, full on, wrap my world around it Dad. In my children’s bright young eyes, they made me feel like I was their superhero. In reality however, I was just a man, doing my best, with what I had at being Daddy.

With the kids well into their young adult lives now, those days have long passed. I still remember them though, even if I didn't get the chance to wear a cool cape or fancy boots. Those years were the most inspiring, creative, and loving times of my life. Super powers aren't just for comic book heroes.

Live life. It gives far more back when you do.

Liner Notes: A big thank you to my good friend Matt for tripping the shutter on this image.

silent celebration

Yesterday I made a two-hour drive to say my goodbyes to a longtime friend. Most of my drive was spent listening to the silence of my thoughts equally balanced with the soft hum of the road. An overflow of memories was my co-pilot.

The emotional evening was a celebration of lives touched by a beautiful, spirited, and love filled woman. Selfishness always seems to get in the way when I unexpectedly lose a loved one. My thoughts are always the same, wishing I'd had the chance to say goodbye.

With fewer than twenty days marked from the calendar this New Year, most have been filled with unexpected love, including these past few days of recent loss.

A gorgeous bright moonlight assisted my headlights in lighting the long rural road trip home. Just as I had done earlier in the day, my co-pilot was once again the silence of memories, this time though, they were paired with many tears of love. A life’s celebration continues.