I've been blessed with several; my last one was in 1995. I was in my office, reading a newspaper article about living the rewarding life. "Sit down and ask yourself," the editorial writer challenged me, "how do you want it (life) to look?" I sat down that morning and resolved to enrich myself in several categories.
I was in what I had dubbed the Third Quarter of life and was living without health insurance. We had paid through the nose, never been sick, and cancelled it. I pulled an article out of that very newspaper, telephoned the Women's Health Initiative, and joined their new (nationally acclaimed) research group on the spot in the estrogen/progesterone trial, the calcium/vitamin D trial, and the diet/lifestyle trial. The Initiative became what I would now call my "primary physician." I stayed in the research trials until they ended (ten years). Part one of what I called a Renaissance Day.
That same morning, I decided that I needed to do something about exercise. The Taoist Tai Chi Society of Tallahassee was holding its very first Jacksonville class the next week at, what was then, Florida Junior College. I joined that class. Later we met in the Unitarian Universalist Church. I practiced there once, and later twice, a week until 2007. I've been a much less faithful participant now that I actually live in Tallahassee, less than five miles away from headquarters.
While I was busy changing my life that morning, I realized that I also wanted to learn something. I had heard of French in Action, an amazing language series (it is now in revival online and elsewhere and has a huge cult following). I ordered the whole lesson plan, the textbooks, the complete series of tapes, and the workbooks. I used this immersion method of teaching oneself a language until my last tape player died and tapes themselves were long out of style, about a dozen years. I never really learned to converse like a pro, but I can read French and would be able to survive in Paris.
When the postman came into the store, I gave him the envelope in which I had enclosed my French in Action order form and a big check that would ensure me the excitement of learning something new. He handed me the mail. On top of the pile (yes, it was that very same day) was a letter from Governor Chiles. He had appointed me to the Florida Board of Opticianry where I served until 2005. I didn't consider the timing a fluke. After all it was Renaissance Day.
In the afternoon, I began to search the newspaper ads for a cello. I never found one at a good price. I called Dr. Poppenbrach, a retired high school orchestra director, and the only class he had open was at 5:30 in the afternoon. I kept the store open until 5:00 on weekdays. In rush hour traffic, Orange Park was an hour away on a good day. Sadly, I shelved my cello plans but kept my eyes out for a used cello for many months. That little music education adventure never happened.
As soon as I realized that I couldn't get across town in time for a lesson with or without a musical instrument, I shifted my gears. I decided to concentrate on music in another way. I've been an opera buff ever since. You can cook the most marvelous Italian food while enjoying opera!
Yesterday, I was confirmed into the Episcopal church. Not a small step for a Southern Baptist girl of nineteen years, turned Methodist for twenty-three years, turned chronic visitor of many churches (member of none) for over twenty-nine years more. Thankfully, I did not need to re-affirm my faith or search for my spirituality. Those things have never wavered since my very first, childhood, Renaissance Day.
I've found a lot to love about that denomination and about the church that I now call home. After all, I have been labeling myself "Episcopal" for thirty years. I'm happy with the decision. My heart is singing this morning. I also love working in the food pantry, being a member of the Spirit and Creativity Guild, and (although I don't always attend) finally belonging to a book club filled with readers whose opinions I admire and respect.
I know that today is a Fourth-and-Final-Quarter Renaissance Day. There aren't a great number of changes to make, however, at this stage of the game. I'm still being "followed" and "charted" by the Women's Health Initiative. I now have wonderful health insurance unless the Affordable Healthcare Act screws it up somehow.
For obvious reasons, I should order a course in Spanish this afternoon. This is Florida, after all, and Spanish-speakers abound. Tom and Jack will be fluent speakers just like their dad. I'm going to want to know what they are talking about when they break out of English and enjoy their second language.
I also want to get some Metropolitan Opera tickets. The theater here in Tallahassee shows the complete Met season locally on the big screen.
I've (just now) decided to set a weekday (Thursday, I think) for rambling around, taking photographs, getting to know the history of this, my relatively new, home in the Red Hills of Florida. I've put off having that kind of fun for six years. In truth, I'm getting a little reclusive. I can't really see to drive, and especially park the car, at night. I need to shift my perspective and take advantage of the adventures I can have during the daylight hours.
This morning I woke up from a troubling dream. The Taoist Tai Chi Society was in shambles for some reason and I was on the sidewalk looking at the destruction. A woman near me asked why I was so upset. "I just wanted to do a little Tai Chi," I answered. Tai Chi? Yes. But not there at the center on Thomasville Road. I have my reasons and they are good ones. The dream was right. That ship has sailed.
I began practicing the Tai Chi set in the garage several months ago. Moving meditation. I vow to be more faithful to the discipline. I need to practice religiously. I've studied the philosophy of Taoism for years. It's tenants see one through change in a way that western thought-patterns sometimes lack. The study of Taoism makes for a great introduction to a knowledge of Chinese history, an appreciation for Chinese art, and a love of Chinese poetry and calligraphy.
Renaissance Day is truly upon me this morning. Plans are set. Adventure is afoot. I might even call the Board of Opticianry office later and "retire" my license. There won't be another #1926 in Florida Opticianry. I feel that it's time to hang that little adventure out to dry. I'm not going down Optical Road again, although it was perfect for me when the time was right.
