Today was a big dang day.  And tonight, I am worn out.  Plain and simple.    It was a day full of visits.  Most notably,  our two youngest grandsons came over today.  All day, from morning until night.  Without their parents.  Some might call it babysitting… we are calling it “intense visiting.”

They are 5 and 8,  and apparently, trumped up on caffeine and chocolate during most of their little lives.  I don’t know how they are getting it…. they must have a secret source…some dealer, or pusher, somewhere.  Because these kids HAVE to be jacked up on caffeine and chocolate.  I just know it.

I mean, for crying out loud.  Who can run…. and talk, non-stop, from 9:30 in the morning until 8:30 at night?  Besides this five-year-old…. who is pretty holy-crapping good at it.  Nonetheless.  A wonderful visit from start to finish… with the exception of the broken chair, three shattered glasses, the big spills on the carpet, and the dog with a newly developed nervous twitch.

We were also visited by a caterpillar this morning.  We watched her crawl for a long time.  Then suddenly, she stopped and did not move for quite some time.  After several minutes, she went on her way, once more.  I think she stopped for a power nap.

I have also been visiting a couple of cats.  They are my friends’ cats, and I simply stop by to make sure they are happy.  It is difficult to tell if cats are happy or hacked off.  I’ll just call them happy.

I visited my Mom today too.  As I do most days. Her big reveal today, and there always is one, was that she was glad not to be young again. I asked why not?  She said she was dumb when she was young.

Aren’t we all?

It seems only fitting that there would be an visit of epic proportions tonight.  Yes, the shadow of the earth will visit the surface of the moon, and bring us a full eclipse.

Visiting has a way of wearing you out.

So tonight, I think my head will visit my pillow.  And right now, it is a visit I shall welcome more than anything.

Each day holds a surprise. But only if we expect it can we see, hear, or feel it when it comes to us. Let’s not be afraid to receive each day’s surprise, whether it comes to us as sorrow or as joy It will open a new place in our hearts, a place where we can welcome new friends and celebrate more fully our shared humanity.
— Henri Nouwen