Sunyay Digest: "Where's Rob?"
Plus, get my birthday gift, this week's walking companion and making weird memories.
Well hello there!
I’ve been celebrating my birthday, wedding anniversary and now Poppy’s birthday all within ten days and I have to say, I’m losing my enthusiasm.
BUT! I am enthusiastic about giving you gifts for my birthday :D
More specifically, a signed copy of my book. Not just for you, but for one of your amazing friends. Go to this post on FB and leave a comment to qualify.
Happy Birthday to us, eh? EH?!
I have some nuggets for us this week, let’s dig in.
Here’s how I’m nourishing my mind:
I’m saying yes to new experiences even when I’m forced into it!
If you caught my letter on Thursday, you know my birthday got real weird, twice. It started with my friends surprising me, late at night, after I got in my PJs and washed my face— to go smash things. Yes. To go smash things.
My girl, Amber, planned it, and when her husband found out he asked, “Does Anna know about this?” Because he knows me well enough to safely assume “smashing things” would be near the bottom of things I’d want to do as a 41 year old mother of small children on my birthday. But what was I gonna do? Be a fuddy duddy about it? She already made the appointment!
So we went. And it was weird. But it was also fun. AND HILARIOUS. Something I’ll remember forever because of how bizarre it was to smash a television set amongst friends. But also— thrilling?
I made a memory. Albeit, a weird one. But a memory nonetheless.
Our lives are a story, made from experiences that became memories. In the end, I really don’t want my story to be the kind people put down after the first three chapters, know what I mean?
Amber said something freaky profound to me once. Our kids were playing and wanted to get on their tablets. We said no and booted them outside. Then she turned to me and said, “When we were kids, we went outside, explored and made memories. You don’t make memories zoning out on Roblox.”
That slapped me good.
Not just about our kids though, what about me? Zoning out on bad TV or social media, scrolling through the news?
I wanna rack up memories. Not get weird and parachute off buildings, but maybe instead of sitting on a bench watching my girls jump at a trampoline park, how about I jump too and sweat through the butt of my shorts which is hard to do but I somehow managed the last time I jumped at a trampoline park?
Listen, do I also want to make memories because I need good content for my books? Obviously. BUT ALSO— I want my life to be a great story. Don’t you?
Here’s how I’m nourishing my body:
Walk with Me!
I hope you’re still walking with me!
Set your goal to 10K steps a day. You don’t gotta get weird out there, just enjoy yourself.
Here’s our Episode Three in the I’m Not Ready for This walk with me series, “Not Ready To Say Goodbye, Particularly When Awkward”
And every week, I also have a Spotify soundtrack for us while we walk, workout, strength train, or do the dishes. It’s our world, we can do what we want! I like to mix old school with new school. Just roll with it.
Here’s this week’s Spotify playlist to keep us jazzed all week.
Here’s how I’m nourishing my spirit:
My brother bought me a gorgeous journal for my birthday. This ain’t the type of thing you write a grocery list on. It’s legit.
I already have a prayer journal, but it’s sloppy, emotional and raw— something I probably want to burn when I’m through with it.
So I’ve decided to use this journal, not just as a diary, but as a faith journal with God. Writing down what I’m believing for, what I’m so grateful for— praising all the beauty and goodness that’s around me. Making sure I write down and acknowledge answered prayer. Write poems in it, maybe? Beauty I often don’t see because I’m distracted by the ugly, big mean scary things.
I imagine my girls stumbling upon it someday when I’m gone. Their mother’s faith, tested. Her answered and unanswered prayers. All that joy, joy, joy, down in her heart. Sorrow, sometimes, too.
Fingers crossed I actually keep it up and write more than four entries 😬
Question of the week:
Where’s Rob?
Question:
I noticed you don’t share pictures or talk about Rob [Anna’s husband] very much on social media. Is there a reason why?
My Answer:
Do I not talk about Rob a lot? Cuz I feel like I totally talk about Rob a lot. In fact almost all my viral posts have him as a key figure. Right?
But I think I know what you’re saying. It’s to protect him, mostly. We just celebrated our 14th anniversary and it’s wild. I barely remember life without him.
I don’t know much, but I do know this: Large amounts of “couple selfies” and sappy adoring captions about “the love of my life” are directly correlated with divorces and domestic murders.
I’m joking, but not really.
In fact, the sappier that caption, the “more handsome” the husband “and more lucky she is” to have him— set your watch cuz that divorce is coming in hot! And I’m joking, but not really.
My marriage is a lot of things, but perfect is not one of them. We laugh a lot, so that helps. But my family is my most beloved gift. And our marriage is what supports this incredible blessing in my life. So while I have ZERO PROBLEMS making fun of my marriage with all of you, I resist the temptation to exploit it.
It’s hard too, because pictures with him in it get alotta likes!
Have a question for me too? Ask away in the comments.
ICYMI:
Hilarious Virals
Thank God this post took off because now I feel seen and heard. Rob and I have no freaking clue how old we are and IT’S TERRIFYING! Read it here.
Last Week’s Letter
My birthday got weird— twice. I gave a clue away earlier, but it got weirder. Scarier. Check out part one here.
Have questions for Anna?
If you have questions about pursuing a dream, a fit bod or God, ask away in the comments and as always, I’ll do everything I can to help. If it’s a real good question you may be spotlighted in a future digest.
DISCLAIMER: I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT I’M DOING
PS: If you’d like more info on this endeavor, offerings and my heart behind it, check out the updated about page.
And, of course, the best way to support me is to not only buy my books, but to get a copy for your friends and family to help support my mission to spread laughter.
Have we met? I’m Anna Lind Thomas, a humor writer out of Omaha, Nebraska. I’m listed as one of USA Today’s top ten funniest women writers, and author of the best selling book We’ll Laugh About This (Someday) and my latest - I’m Not Ready for This. Once you read them, text me (number’s in the back and I respond!). Don’t forget to say hi on Facebook and Instagram.
Like this post