This is one of my favorite places to sit and think, my own little hidden spot, tucked away in the city. See that rock on the left? I like to sit right there, feet in the water, and think.

Isabel loves to frolic in the water while I think, so it’s a great spot for both us.

This post is part of Think Kit 2011.

The busyness of working just about full time and being in graduate school just about full time also means that there’s not much time for big adventures. Instead, we take small ones just blocks from our house. Isabel constantly reminds me there is delight in sniffing each flower, in bounding down the trail to find what’s up ahead, in chasing ducks even if they fly away before you can reach them.

This spring has been the usual: rainy and green and full of growth. I love it. We take many wet hikes that have been so lovely and cleansing. Isabel insists on dipping herself in the creek, as if getting rained on wasn’t wet enough.

For Christmas, I drove Isabel and I home to my parent’s house in northern Wisconsin. I love Wisconsin, but in the wintertime, my least favorite thing is usually the drive there. Guaranteed snow. Before covering that trip, let’s take a look at what it was like the last time we where there:

I spent about a month and half at the house this past Spring, and this was the ritual every night: fishing off the dock with Dad. It was Isabel’s favorite pasttime.

Over the holidays, it was a little different.

Snow. Everywhere. And ice. (That’s Dad’s ice rink, by the way. He maintains it for the neighbor’s kids and families. Got a water system and everything.)

So instead of fishing, I cross-country skied, which is one of my favorite pasttimes. Isabel might like it a little, too.

I hope your holidays were restful and fun as well!

Well, as I’ve mentioned, we’re in one place for awhile. But that doesn’t mean there’s no opportunity to wander or see new things. I try to make a habit of picking a different path home than I’d usually go from work, the grocery, school, just to keep the brain working. Isabel and I take walks in the neighborhood nearly everyday, and in order to give her new things to sniff, I usually try to take a different path than the previous walk. She’s so fun to be with on walks because she sees the world as a giant opportunity for sniffing, and this reminds me that the world is a giant opportunity. To notice. To see everything as new. We’ve walked our neighborhood blocks so many times now, I feel as if I have it all memorized! I think tomorrow I might try walking down the street like I’ve never seen it before.

A year ago I was one and a half months into this road trip. A year ago I had no idea what seven months ahead would feel like.

I know now.

Now I know I’m capable more of more than I think I am. Now I know I can handle a lot, that I can persevere. Now I know better when I need to push myself, when I need to retreat and give myself space. Now I know the feeling of gratitude for people, complete strangers, who are kind and generous in ways I’d never expect. Now I know this country is full of beautiful and inspiring places, including the place from which I started (you can take that both literally and metaphorically). Now I know the me I am now is no different than the me I was then. That instead, I am a more unfolded version of myself. More attuned to my inner voice, more aware of how to make myself happy and what makes life worth living for me.

And now. If I wasn’t sure before, now I know just how deep Isabel is etched into my heart forever.

For all these things, for this opportunity, for everyone who helped me along the way (that means you), I am deeply, incredibly grateful. And moved. Thank you.