Tuesday, June 3, 2008

Good Tired by Angie Ledbetter

Sometimes our plans and gotta-do stuff clumps together in a wad of busy days and we run as fast as we can to keep up and check off the things filling our lists. I've had a week of that -- a 6-day writers conference and my parents' 50th wedding anniversary party the day after I returned.

The conference required a lot of mental work and writing, with lots of walking around the huge hotel all day, and a 3-hour ghost walking tour around New Orleans. Okay, I'm 48, heavy and not in marathon shape, so it was more exercise (physical & mental) than I'm used to, but I'm not complaining. Actually, I enjoyed it and took the stairs sometimes when an elevator was just as close. The point is, my body spent almost a week in unfamiliar circumstances and in a strange bed. But out of that conference, I got some golden nuggets in the form of an improved manuscript and some successful agent pitches. I was exhausted, but so glad I went.

Yesterday my parents celebrated five decades of a wonderful marriage full of love, laughter, grandchildren, and great-grands. The guest list had to be limited because of the venue, but their friends could've filled the New Orleans Superdome. And what a tribute and statement to their goodness that is. It was fun helping put together the party, and again, I felt that "good tired" you experience after an unfamiliar event or circumstance involving some effort pays you back with dividends you weren't expecting.

I slept like the proverbial log the last two nights and the jetlag I felt (even though I was nowhere near an airport) has lifted. I'm ready for whatever comes my way and looking for more "good tired" nights. I am grateful for last week and that my body, mind and spirit kept up with the demands needing to be met. And, again, I'm grateful for my good soft bed.

3 comments:

Unknown said...

Nothing like a little change of venue to help you relax. These days I usually have a million things to take care of before I can leave. Then there's the tension of getting through security and will your flight be delayed messing up connections? Once I touch down in my final destination, that's when I start to enjoy.

Barbara Quinn said...

Ah, it's so good to come home to that comfy bed where you can run the trip over in your head again and again. Sometimes there's just too much going on to be able to appreciate it when you experience it. But back at home it all comes to vibrant life. You get two trips that way! I'm glad you had a great conference. And congrats to your folks!

Anonymous said...

Angie,
Congrats on the successful trip and the party. I know you and your crew were sweating this. Graduation week was the same kind of good tired for us.
Oren

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