You ever have a day when you are at the end of it and you just have to pinch yourself? A day where you promised yourself to have no expectations and that was the healthiest thing you ever did? I am the queen of expectations. I have them in all facets of my life. I put expectations on people, on things, on ovens, on schools, on hair, on weight, you name it....my thinking is often laced with expectations and they truly are my worst enemy.
I used to have great expectations of my brother. I have great expectations of my sister and friends. They often come through for me, but there are times when I am let down. And when I say let down, I am sometimes just crushed with the failure of it all. My sister, Kara, has been my biggest coach in the "have no expectations" camp. She has drilled this motto into me for years as she has seen me struggle with constantly being hurt when things didn't go my way, especially in relationships or events. Why I have such expectations, I simply don't know, but they truly are ass-biters.
My recent success story of no expectations happened yesterday. It was a big day for me. A day that will, I am sure, be recounted on and cherished. What happened was something like this:
I got into contact with my sister in law and she then got into contact with other military friends, and I also go into contact with them in order to get some tickets to the Toronto Air Show. I have not been to a show since my brothers death in his Snowbird jet in 2008. I wasn't strong enough to endure seeing the team without him being there to cheer on. But I also wanted to share this experience with my boyfriend, Chris and his two kids and so instead of asking for tickets for just myself and my kids, I made the bold move and requested 7! I, of course, hoped the military would pull through for me, however, I had no expectations and told Chris and my kids if no tickets came, we could still enjoy the show from somewhere else. I didn't expect anything - I was mildly hoping (Duh!), but I also knew that there were some strings to be pulled and it was out of our control. When word came that there were 7 vip tickets for us...I was pumped!
The other potential expectation I had was wanting to meet with Capt. Gregg (snowbird #4). He was the liaison officer in charge of my brothers funeral, etc. He was also one of my brothers best friends and became a good friend of ours. I asked about seeing him while they were here for the show, and as much as I wanted to see him, I knew he had a busy schedule and other obligations. He, however, was happy to meet with me and my girls and Chris and we ended up having an awesome brunch together. I did not expect to not have to pay either!
I expected us to probably have to drive down to the air show at the CNE and that Chris and I would have to figure out how to meet, where to meet, etc. But Gregg got us on the free vip coach that ran from his hotel by the airport, straight to the air show VIP section. Chris and I were thrilled we didn't have to manoeuvre our way downtown and fight the traffic and pay incredible fees for parking. I had no expectations for our transportation and was instead, given a gift of a free, luxurious ride right to the "door" of the show.
Chris's kids and my kids had never met before. We have been together for 5 months and just wanted to be sure about where we were at before we threw our families together. It was a big day for me - and exciting, as my kids were going to meet Chris's. I didn't want to expect anything....or hope, or dream or worry - about this meeting. I was thrilled when we all got them introduced and it was lovely. It was simple and sweet, non-stressful and non-eventful. It was the perfect situation - having them meet and then going to do something very new and exciting together. I had no expectations that they would all get along well....and when they did it was awesome!!!
I never expected to have the weather be so lovely. I didn't expect to get such great seats and be able to enjoy the show right on the water front. I didn't expect my kids to have so much fun, or Chris's for that matter. Nor did I expect anything special to happen at the show....And then came the last unexpected treat.
The show was nearly done, the snowbirds were doing their amazing manoeuvres and were wowing us with their finesse and skill. I did expect to cry when they first came...and didn't! I was happy I was holding it all together. I didn't focus on my brother not being there, but focused on our friend Gregg and what he was doing in the sky! Then came the part where the jets fly in a formation that produces a heart shape out of their clouds. It was a tribute they had done for Bryan when he died. It was something meaningful to me and my girls. We were quiet as we watched and remembered the last time we witnessed the making of the heart in Moose Jaw...and then the announcer came up over the loudspeaker and dedicated the heart to Marlea, Kamrin, Mikka and Luci and that the snowbirds all wished "Mav" could be there with them as well. I never dreamed of such a beautiful tribute. No expectations meant tears tho! I was caught off guard, grabbed Chris's hand and looked at my girls. Mikka came to hug me and make sure I was ok. It was a very beautiful moment for our little posse and completely unexpected....making it all the better.
I never expected a lot - and yet I got more than a barrel-full of wonderful experiences, flavours, memories, sounds, and sights that I never dreamed I would have. Our day could truly not have gone better. I didn't destroy it with any of my ideals because I went into the day not having any. Great Expectations? No way! No Expectations is truly a great way to go!
I used to have great expectations of my brother. I have great expectations of my sister and friends. They often come through for me, but there are times when I am let down. And when I say let down, I am sometimes just crushed with the failure of it all. My sister, Kara, has been my biggest coach in the "have no expectations" camp. She has drilled this motto into me for years as she has seen me struggle with constantly being hurt when things didn't go my way, especially in relationships or events. Why I have such expectations, I simply don't know, but they truly are ass-biters.
My recent success story of no expectations happened yesterday. It was a big day for me. A day that will, I am sure, be recounted on and cherished. What happened was something like this:
I got into contact with my sister in law and she then got into contact with other military friends, and I also go into contact with them in order to get some tickets to the Toronto Air Show. I have not been to a show since my brothers death in his Snowbird jet in 2008. I wasn't strong enough to endure seeing the team without him being there to cheer on. But I also wanted to share this experience with my boyfriend, Chris and his two kids and so instead of asking for tickets for just myself and my kids, I made the bold move and requested 7! I, of course, hoped the military would pull through for me, however, I had no expectations and told Chris and my kids if no tickets came, we could still enjoy the show from somewhere else. I didn't expect anything - I was mildly hoping (Duh!), but I also knew that there were some strings to be pulled and it was out of our control. When word came that there were 7 vip tickets for us...I was pumped!
The other potential expectation I had was wanting to meet with Capt. Gregg (snowbird #4). He was the liaison officer in charge of my brothers funeral, etc. He was also one of my brothers best friends and became a good friend of ours. I asked about seeing him while they were here for the show, and as much as I wanted to see him, I knew he had a busy schedule and other obligations. He, however, was happy to meet with me and my girls and Chris and we ended up having an awesome brunch together. I did not expect to not have to pay either! I expected us to probably have to drive down to the air show at the CNE and that Chris and I would have to figure out how to meet, where to meet, etc. But Gregg got us on the free vip coach that ran from his hotel by the airport, straight to the air show VIP section. Chris and I were thrilled we didn't have to manoeuvre our way downtown and fight the traffic and pay incredible fees for parking. I had no expectations for our transportation and was instead, given a gift of a free, luxurious ride right to the "door" of the show.
Chris's kids and my kids had never met before. We have been together for 5 months and just wanted to be sure about where we were at before we threw our families together. It was a big day for me - and exciting, as my kids were going to meet Chris's. I didn't want to expect anything....or hope, or dream or worry - about this meeting. I was thrilled when we all got them introduced and it was lovely. It was simple and sweet, non-stressful and non-eventful. It was the perfect situation - having them meet and then going to do something very new and exciting together. I had no expectations that they would all get along well....and when they did it was awesome!!!I never expected to have the weather be so lovely. I didn't expect to get such great seats and be able to enjoy the show right on the water front. I didn't expect my kids to have so much fun, or Chris's for that matter. Nor did I expect anything special to happen at the show....And then came the last unexpected treat.
I never expected a lot - and yet I got more than a barrel-full of wonderful experiences, flavours, memories, sounds, and sights that I never dreamed I would have. Our day could truly not have gone better. I didn't destroy it with any of my ideals because I went into the day not having any. Great Expectations? No way! No Expectations is truly a great way to go!
Comments
Post a Comment