Availability

a·vail·a·ble   /əˈveɪləbəl/[uh-vey-luh-buhl]

–adjective
1. suitable or ready for use; of use or service; at hand: I used whatever tools were available.
2. readily obtainable; accessible: available resources.

This term really doesn't show up much in my every day vocabulary.  Or, if it does, it is only in the context of: "Hmm... I'd really like to hang out, but I'll have to look at my planner to see what my 'availability' is next week/month/year."  (I guess I don't really say things like that, but I may as well... I sound that arrogant probably.)

Anyways, the point is, in the last two weeks I have experienced a rare glimpse of availability.  The kind like: "Yea, I'd love to get coffee sometime, how about in thirty-minutes." "I'd be happy to help you with your resume, can you come over now?"  OR "No, we don't have plans for lunch after church... Let's hang out!"

In the last two weeks I've...
... had dinner with a former student who is about to leave for college.
... invited the decorators that helped me with my house TWO YEARS AGO over to finally see some of our changes.
... drank coffee with an acquaintance that I've always wanted to get to know better.
... took a friend to the airport.
... worked crosswords with Poppy.
... exercised with my Mom.
... asked a friend to stay for dinner.
Etc.

Normally, I quite like the feeling of busyness.  I tend to think I function better when my life is pretty scheduled.  BUT... I could get used to this lifestyle. I'm a better daughter, sister, granddaughter, wife, and friend when my life is just a little more... available.

The question is, however, HOW do I sustain this when I go back to work in a few short days?  Unfortunately this isn't the reality of my world once school starts.  But could it be?  Could it be as simple as NOT making to-do lists a mile long for every afternoon, and just waiting to see where life takes me.  What IF I lived that way?  Could it be more about my mind than my planner?  We'll see...