A Norvell Note for July 5, 2021
Vol. 24 No. 25
Something’s Off
Something’s off.
Somedays, I get caught up in work and life responsibilities and almost forget that life has changed. Yet, even on those days, there is a strong sense that something is off.
Sometimes it is a song on my playlist or the weather, or it is a photo on my phone. Somedays, it happens when asked, “How are you?” For most of my life, my typical response to that question has been, “I’m okay.” If pushed, I’ll add, “Not great. Not bad. Just good.” That’s always worked, but not so much anymore. I catch myself pondering my answer, “Am I really, okay?”
Some people know better and ask, “Really, how are you?” I don’t mind going into more detail, but it changes the tone of the conversation, and most are don’t feel comfortable with that, so “Okay” is good enough. I’m glad.
The reality is something is off, something is not like it was, my (our) world has changed. Life is not the same and will never be the same, and I try every day to remember that it’s okay.
Most of the time, I can go about my day and do what I need to do. But when the pace slows, when I’m sitting at a traffic light or standing by a gas pump, and in my quiet moments of reading and journaling and having my morning coffee, there is no escaping the haunting reality that something is off.
Life today is not what I expected. It is not anything like I had imagined. I never asked for life to take this turn of events. But it has happened, and I am dealing with it as best as I can. There are good days. I won’t say normal days, but good days. And there are some tough days. But we go forward dealing with the day before us, doing what we can and enjoying the moment even though something’s off.
Something is off, but that’s okay.
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