Embracing the Detour

My visitor, the possum, showed up again at 3 a.m. this morning. Again, Scout starts the barking. Inside, Duke is howling. And I...well I snapped a little.

Looking back on it, no it's not just about the possum. It's about everything. It's about all the responsibility I have and at 3 a.m. this morning, I had a little Pity Party. Fact is, as much as I may not appreciate or like all the cards I've been dealt, in the clear of the day I know it could be worse. I know plenty of others have it worse.

This is all part of being an adult. I can't turn back time, but I can choose the way I deal with the present (obviously not very well at 3 a.m. with two dogs demanding my attention), but I have choices.

When we come to forks in the road, it's difficult. If one path were certain, there wouldn't be a fork...now would there?! It would be more like a turn!

So at said fork, I can head toward the sign saying "Detour" or the one saying "Wrong Way".

That's it. There isn't one that says, "Clear road ahead!". I know there may be bumps down the road saying "Detour". There may be broken bridges or twists and turns, maybe even some debris in the road...but I'd MUCH rather take this route. The "Wrong Way" is self-descriptive, right? You know what you're gonna get. At least you know it won't be positive.

Regarding the possum, I guess I need to do what a friend suggested ..."If I were you, I'd build it a little house in the backyard and just let it entertain you."

So, welcome to my world possum. I'll try not to go postal on you. Enjoy the fig trees. They are obviously why you are here. Maybe you've got babies to feed. I could set a trap from Animal Control, but then what if she is a momma and I take her away from her babies?

If she's willing to travel every night from wherever she's traveling from just to get some figs, I can't put up a "Wrong Way" sign in her path.

No...it's not just about the possum. It's about being on the "Detour" path. And really... who'd of thought this nocturnal critter would bring a little bit of clarity? I only know one person. And he's grinning ear-to-ear right now.