It's not about how fast I get there

I would like to officially say "You told me so" to two Saras in my life - although one of them has an H. Michael's cousin Sara and one of my blogging friends, Sarah, both told me how much I would love the Miley Cyrus song called The Climb. And I so do.

It's like she reached into one of my favorite philosophies and set it to music. And, yeah, I'm taking credit for having the philosophy before I heard the song. Isn't that the way? Most things we respond well to are sort of a confirmation of something we'd already thought of, at least on some level.

I talk about the Anne books a lot, but rarely the Emily ones* - although I love them just as much (and almost more - GASP!). Emily's life is very much about a climb. She pursues a writing career throughout the books and eventually finds at least the beginnings of success. Her love story is much more dramatic and heart-wrenching than Gilbert and Anne's, but it ends well. And the Emily books have an almost mystical aspect to them that absolutely fascinates me.

It's the climb that I relate to the most of course.

This weekend I wrote more words on my novel than I read of other people's. Even though I am currently swamped with lovely books to read. I was very proud and very certain that I have officially made it far enough in my word count and, more importantly, far enough in my story line, that there's no turning back. I'll be so proud when I've finished my first work of fiction and proven to myself that I can, in fact, do it.

In the meantime, though, this has to be the happiest summer of my life so far. (Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could always say that from each year to the next?) It's not easy working from home, but I'm oh so grateful for it. I love the lessons my children teach me. I love the way I look at life differently based on what I want out of it for them. When I wonder how they view a certain thing, it puts it in such better perspective than if I'm only viewing it myself.

I like the way Drew and Jake are perfectly happy playing in the dirt when John has a ball game. I love the instant quiet in the house when Jake is napping and I coerce the boys into a few minutes of reading. I love the way they sink into the book even if they complained when I made them turn off Cable. I love the feeling that the days are so much longer than they are in winter. I can work all day, watch a ball game, eat supper, and still get home in the daylight.

And most of all, I am thoroughly enjoying the climb.

*Emily of New Moon, Emily Climbs, and Emily's Quest