Its hard
to believe all that Margo and I accomplished in such a short period of time during
our cross-country trip...so many wonderful moments and stories! As we
were living it, we truly did appreciate each day. So many times we would
say how happy we were, or, Margo would say “I can’t stop smiling, I’m just so
happy right now…just look at this” and we’d be looking out into the beauty of
Americas rolling hills, or quiet plains, majestic mountains, enormous rocks,
sandy deserts…so many different landscapes. So many different things to
appreciate. By the end of our trip, we were making logistical decisions
based on the next sunrise or sunset to ensure that we wouldn’t miss those
moments, the most awe-inspiring of each day. We were more than happy to
climb out of bed (well, really, up off of a deflating mattress) at the crack of
dawn (5:15-5:30ish) on several occasions so that we could high-tail it to the
sunrise spot we had decided upon the evening before. And then, as an
extra bonus, on the days of those early mornings, we managed to do sooooo much
because by 10 o’clock we’d already been up for five hours enjoying life!
Getting up early can seem like such a chore when you’re working a “9-5” (better
said 9-7). It just isn’t as appealing during the daily grind to get up
that early (typically to do a pre-work work-out) and then try to survive the
daily work load for 8-12 hours before getting home, trying to relax and calling
it a day. But, I can tell you this, when you are free as a bird and
floating around like a butterfly, getting up at 5 am is a joy ;)
I
mentioned how a friend called my trip “the most mariposa trip ever”. Well, I should explain where that even comes
from as it may be coming up every once and while. Several years ago, Meagan and I were talking
about our family and I mentioned to her that she was the fighter pilot and
structured one, Shannon was the farmer and mom, and I was just the butterfly of
the family. Obviously this needed a
little explanation. I explained that maybe
I hadn’t found my specific professional calling as my sisters had, but one
thing I knew about myself and my life was that I just kind of fluttered around
to different places, meeting different people and always tried my best to
spread happiness and smiles and love into the universe and the communities
around me…….just like a butterfly.
Meagan, of course, found this to be quite entertaining, even more than I
knew at the time because when I came back from several months volunteering in
Uganda, she was referring to me as Mariposa or “the Posa” and had to explain to
me that she and her (now husband) Paul had given me this nickname because of
that butterfly conversation (they just found it so hilarious!). She had referred to me by this nickname so
much that the Admiral for whom she worked at the time and several of her other
Navy colleagues all referred to me as the Posa!
“Hey Vargus (Meagan’s call name), when is the Posa coming in to say
hi??” I couldn’t believe it. I had
always loved the idea of nicknames and have had a few during different chapters
of my life…but this one evolved while I wasn’t even present. And, now, about four years later, I just love
it and do my best to live by it. It’s
who I am. And I am HAPPY about
that. Knowing who we are and what our
purpose here on this planet is can be such a difficult thing to figure
out. I may never find a profession that
suits me for the next thirty years, but I couldn’t be happier to know that for
the rest of my days I’m meant to be a butterfly spreading joy and happiness and
positive energy into the world around me.
I will always do my best to do that, no matter what comes my way...even
when it hurts. Because, inevitably it
does and it will. But nothing could
make me stop trying to spread the love and smiles within my own soul and spirit and to others.
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| Life is good and I LOVE Kansas!! |
So...when my friend said that I was having “the most mariposa trip ever,” (thanks
Sarah!!) I couldn’t help but smile at that observation. And these last couple days that I’ve been
back on the East Coast just floating around visiting friends in DC and
wandering around the city…I have truly felt like a butterfly! I have such joy
and happiness in my soul that I am so happy to share with others as I wander where
the breeze takes me; without a place I have to be; or a home to go home to….and,
in those fluttering, floating moments, I couldn’t describe the sense of freedom
any other way but beautiful…and just like a butterfly ;)
