The First Day of the Rest of Our Lives

On Sunday afternoon Doug said to Frank, “Tomorrow will be the first day of the rest of our lives.” And I guess it always is. Frank wanted to know what Doug meant and he explained that as of Monday, we would be starting a new chapter, one that would define the next five years for us at least, and maybe longer.

Yesterday ended up being a day pretty much like any other. It was a snow day, although for the life of me, I have no idea why. It was a beautiful day. The sun was shining and when I looked out the window at 7:00am, everything had a beautiful pink glow. Beckett went to preschool, but we let Frank stay home one more day in order to combat his cough.

I went to the gallery in the morning to get keys, transfer utilities, do a final wrap-up of sorts. It was very hectic with things being moved out. I recognized the frenetic pace of someone needing to get everything they possibly could done before leaving for two weeks, because nothing could wait until they got back. I reassured them that whatever wasn’t finished could in fact wait until they got back and they were appreciative.

I had an interview of sorts with Micki, who will stay on with us at the gallery and is very excited to do so. With fifteen years of experience, she will be invaluable to me. She is excited to learn more about Doug’s style of watercolor and anxious to see him paint, learn about his technique so she is better able to sell his work.

I spent the weekend moving my office out of my office and setting up a studio for Doug. He has the nicest space to paint in, by far, that he’s had in all the years I’ve known him. He is poised to let his creativity flow, and has whatever he needs to do so at his fingertips.

For me, today is the first day of the rest of our lives. After I drop the boys off at school, I’ll take my moving boxes and set up my office at the gallery. From today on, I will work there. Which means at least for the time being, I won’t be working at 3:40 in the morning.

Today I will start contacting artists and setting up times for Doug and I to review their work. I’ll nail down my operating business plan as best I can so we have a road map to follow, at least for now. I’ll start our first budget and work on our website. And I’ll do my best to finish up some of the other projects I have going right now, even though I have little interest in doing so. However, I am up at this ridiculous hour in order to, so I suppose there still is hope for me, or not. Hard to say whether it’s a good thing or bad.

Fingers crossed. Lots of prayers. Today is the first day of the rest of our lives.