Maybe These Are the Golden Days

Lately I’ve caught myself thinking something I never used to think.

Maybe these are the golden days.

Not because life is perfect.

Not because everything is easy.

In fact, if you’ve followed along for a while, you know this year has included plenty of financial course corrections, uncertainty, and learning how to live differently than I have in the past.

But somewhere in the middle of all of that…life has been surprisingly full.

There have been concerts in the park where everyone spreads out lawn chairs and watches the sun disappear over the lake before fireworks begin.

There have been Monday golf leagues and Tuesday lessons, including my very first birdie.

There have been Mahjong nights around the table.

There have been evenings at the Summer Theatre, trying new recipes (my first puff pastry wasn’t exactly beautiful, but it tasted great), and coffee on the patio while Maple reminds me who’s really in charge around here.

There was even a birthday party for my grand dog Daisy—complete with decorations, treats, and rhinestone sunglasses. If that doesn’t count as joy, I don’t know what does.

This weekend my family arrives. The house will be louder, there will be four dogs running around, groceries packed into every corner of the refrigerator, and probably dog hair on every surface no matter how much I vacuum.

And honestly?

I can’t wait.

A younger version of me might have been waiting for the next promotion, the next vacation, the next house, or the next milestone before deciding life was really good.

I’m trying not to do that anymore.

I’m learning that a rich life isn’t built from one extraordinary moment.

It’s built from ordinary Tuesdays.

Coffee before work.

Friends around a Mahjong table.

A walk outside.

A sunset over the lake.

Family filling the house.

The people we love showing up.

Maybe that’s what this next chapter is teaching me.

Not to wait until years from now to realize these were the days I’ll miss.

To notice them while they’re happening.

So here’s to summer in Okoboji.

To gathering around tables.

To saying yes a little more often.

To finding beauty in the ordinary.

And to remembering that maybe…

these really are the golden days.