Five Minute Friday: Unexpected

Joining forces with Gypsy Mama for Five Minute Friday. This has definately become one of my favorite blogging days! Basically we are given a word and challenged to write for five solid minutes with NO editing, NO over thinking, NO limitations! (I have to tell you ~ I write, then I go back and add links, pics, etc. Hope that doesn't break the rules!)

Start time: 5:34
Stop time: 5:39

Unexpected
Let me first say that I am not a big fan of the UNEXPECTED. Birthdays and Christmas, yes I love surprises. Other then that? No thanks. Well, until now. There has been something deep within me growing the last few months or so that is looking for the unexpected. I mean I am seriously sitting there waiting, watching, and searching for those unexpected gifts! I think every single day that we go about doing the same thing in and out, we get into this crazy routine ~ not allowing the little gifts of today to be visible. The fluttering of a butterfly as it lands right beside me. The beauty of watching a male and female dove build a nest for the upcoming family. Seeing a leaf drift off the tree and land on the ground. For some those may become expected, but to most of us.... we don't slow down enough to embrace the unexpected. The belly laughs of our children, as they are reading a book ~ is an unexpected blessing! The 12 year old girl running up to give her momma a hug (IN FRONT OF HER FRIENDS) is very unexpected, but something I treasure.

There have been times though when the unexpected took my breath away. A year ago tomorrow, we got a phone call in the early morning hours that my only sister passed away unexpectedly from a heart attack.

Living life with no expectations, leaves us open to be able to embrace the unexpected ~ whether it be good, sad, or life changing.