Author: Samantha Gratton

Vocational Pursuits

Samantha Gratton

There are people who love their jobs. These people that live and breathe what they do, almost obnoxiously so. I know it doesn’t exist merely in movies or books where the character’s job encapsulates their personality. I’ve seen it happen in real life with people I know and love. Sometimes it is a dream job after years of searching or sometimes, that lucky person seemingly walks into what it is they want to do. Their interests and loves and strengths present the perfect opportunity to just do and be.

It is truly a beautiful thing to witness someone right in their element, doing what they were intended to do. Or at least, doing what they are supposed to for that season of time. Not only is the work better, but life outside of work is better, too. I’m not just talking about a job, but a vocation, be it an organizational setting or community or family. A person isn’t only defined by their job, but it sure does impact a major portion of your time. It brings me such joy to witness those in a vocational setting of passion, challenge and strength.

Right now, that’s not my story. I will continue to work as hard as possible and show love to those around me, but I feel it deep within me that this isn’t what I was made to do. I’ve worked at a few places now where it hasn’t all added up to the right fit. I’ve also had the blessing of being somewhere that made me feel alive at the end of the day. I’ve learned the hard way that there’s a difference between saying “I could do that” and “I want to do that!” No more. No more pretending to be something I’m not in an effort to find myself. All I can do is be the best me. My goal is to find that place and that opportunity where everything meets up. Where I’m doing what I was meant to do. Because I deeply believe there is something I was made to do, something more than this. Call me a dreamer all you want, but don’t call me a quitter because I’m far from quitting on my dreams. I’m on a quest to use the strengths and talents God gave me for his glory and that’s nothing short of exciting.

Maybe someone out there thinks I am just bent on being unhappy at my job or that I can’t commit. That couldn’t be further from the truth. I’m committed and passionate about living a life with purpose that suits my unique skills and talents. I’m thrilled about embarking on this adventure called life and refuse to give in to the stagnant monotony our society assigns. There’s more out there, and I believe it comes from a God who gifted each of us differently. If we weren’t meant to use those gifts, then why would He give them to us?

Thursday Three

Samantha Gratton

This week has felt incredibly long. Perhaps it was the mini-vacation we had in there or the fact that my shortened work week has dragged on in all of the worst ways. Thankful though for a weekend coming our way and time to clean house a little. Here’s the Thursday Three…

1. Did I mention a mini-vacation? Why yes. That happened, unexpectedly. We have some amazing friends who called and said they were flying standby and would be at our door the next day. They wanted to take a little babymoon before she was no longer allowed on airplanes (35 weeks preggo!) and I could not have been happier to see them. Seriously. I was getting a little Iowa-sick (like homesick, but when you feel at home where you are now) last week and they were just the ticket. We did our best to be good hosts and took them to some of our favorite spots in the Triangle and then headed out to Nags Head to hit the beach! Love, love, love them.

2. We ate like foodies. I am not a foodie, generally speaking. Between a long list of allergies and a weakness for nibbling, I mostly survive on fruit and cheese. While they were here, we went all out and ate so many amazing things I think I could write about those meals for the next ten posts and still be licking my lips. French bakery goods, specialty pizza, fresh seafood, more seafood and local ice cream…what more could a girl want?

 

3. We balanced the weekend out by looking at the budget. I know, super lame sounding compared to all of that wonderful and epic fun we just had. But it was time to look over our spending habits, make some adjustments and talk about what was most important. I think something I’ve learned with budgets is that it doesn’t actually have to be restricting. It’s almost more freeing to say, “I am going to spend this amount of money and not feel guilty about it because it is in the budget” as opposed to being oblivious to what spending is happening and feeling like you must be doing it wrong unless you avoid it altogether. It made me feel more relaxed once it was done. I’m definitely thankful for a hubby who is on the same page with me as we strive to be good stewards of our money, not to mention, glad he was willing to allot a fair amount for vacation money!

Maybe I Panic

Samantha Gratton

Every once in a while, the doubt creeps in and I look around and think, what have we done? I second guess myself. I worry but call it “wonder” about the future. What jobs we’ll have. Where we’ll live. If we can afford a house. If we can have kids. What kind of pain or challenges we’ll face. And before I know it, I’m already anxious about things that haven’t even happened. Mourning losses and giving up hope for things that are not in the near future.

Why do I do that? What purpose does it serve?

I don’t know. I just don’t know what all of that will look like. And all I can do is take a deep breath, hope and pray.

Thursday Three

Samantha Gratton

We’ve hit July. Growing up, as soon as we got to the first week of July it felt like the summer was practically over. This year it feels like it’s hardly begun, but perhaps that’s due to a lot less time outdoors with my leg up on a couch. But here we are nonetheless.

1. I had another birthday. The hubby and I went paddle boating for a bit and then met up with friends and enjoyed some cake and ice cream. All in all, a good day. Birthdays can be weird, all mixed up with hopes and expectations from when you were little and it was the ULTIMATE. I never know, do you tell people it’s coming? Or is it considered lying by omission to just go about the day without mentioning it?

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2. That leg of mine is healing. I can even walk a little without the crutches. Woot! But somehow during this time of healing, my other leg started to show some of its woes and weakness. Perhaps it had some of the same strain the left one did before it really tore. It’s getting a bit bruised and a little more love now. At physical therapy yesterday they worked on my right leg just as much as the leg one. That’s what I call “getting your money’s worth.”

3. Happy 4th of July! I don’t know if I knew quite how much I loved celebrating the 4th in Des Moines, but I’ve got to admit, I’m a little homesick for it right now. Between the music festival, parades, symphony, fireworks and festivities, I can’t seem to adapt to much else. Raleigh, I love you, but today I wish I were there instead. The 4th of July is simply a day/week where Des Moines truly shines, and I’m glad we got to be a part of it for so many years. We will don our red, white and blue though and hit the streets to soak in today’s sunshine and patriotic spirit. Don’t worry, there’s still friends and fireworks involved, and I can’t imagine they will disappoint.

Thursday Three

Samantha Gratton

A lot of people do the “Friday Fives” post on their blog. You know, write about five things that are happening and maybe throw in some energetic photos from the week. I love reading those and seeing those smiling faces, but it’s just not me. Because you know what? On Fridays, I’m just happy to have made it to the weekend and would rather sip a Bellini or margarita at the end of the day with no more obligations, if even for a few hours. Solution: Thursday Three. The perfect time to give a little update with a few less items to list off. It even has some alliteration (th + th) and that’s when you know you’ve officially made it as a writer. So here it goes—

1. My leg still hurts. I know, with all the pressure of this first listing on the very first ever Thursday Three, number one fell a little short. But that’s the truth. If you weren’t aware, I tore my calf almost three weeks ago. One week ago they gave me a sweet boot to match my crutches. The accessories are just amazing. There has been some progress though and physical therapy seems to be helping quite a bit. Quote of the month, “Maybe you can find a project on pinterest to do something with these crutches when you are done using them.” -Hubby.

2. Hole-in-the-walls have the best pie. But for real. Maybe I’ll get better at grabbing a photo next time, but let me just say that black bottom pecan pie in the south does not disappoint. The hubby and I had an impromptu date night on Tuesday to discuss some upcoming life decisions (details to follow) and ended up at a new favorite called Side Street Cafe. They have some sort of charm and a ridiculously long and spectacular list of sandwiches.

3. We really love Raleigh. There’s a lot of new discovery each month as we get more acquainted with our surroundings and every once in a while, we look at each other and comment on how glad we are to have moved here. New restaurants, new concert spots, new neighborhoods, new routines. As of yet, it seems we will be here for awhile and we’re really excited about it. That said, Des Moines will always have a piece of my heart, so I am excited to be headed back for a visit next month!

Glen

Samantha Gratton

There are people who play music and then there are musicians. People who are so wrapped up in the emotion and struggle and hopes life can bring that they have no choice but to share those with you through music.

I’ve met a lot of both. I’ve probably seen more than my fair share of shows and at this point, it takes quite a bit to move me. Last night, Glen Hansard managed to make it to the list of tops. Not every musician can play in a way that’s both playful and sincere, harsh yet gentle. But I walked away full of respect for him and his music.

He has a way of making you feel like he has a genuine relationship with everyone on stage (including a section of strings and horns) but also that you as an audience member matter, too. He doesn’t say it out loud or even overtly hint at it. He just does.

Both the hubby and I left inspired. Reminded that music matters. Storytelling can reveal truths and feelings far beneath the surface. Creativity encourages more creativity. Engagement transcends isolation.

He ended the show with an Irish folk song and asked everyone in the audience to sing along as we repeated the chorus in between verses. Members of the crew were invited leave their sound boards and designated spots on stage to each come and sing a verse. The notes weren’t all perfect and it didn’t always make sense, but that’s not what music is about. It’s not what life is about. We all got to sing along to be a part of something simple, something bigger than ourselves and it was hauntingly beautiful all on its own.

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