“My memory’s not as sharp as it used to be. Also my memory’s not as sharp as it used to be”--Maxine

Day three of the Reverb10 challenge.  Can't believe I've made it this far, but the prompts are good and make me think.  This one-- a little too hard. I think I strained my brain. 

Today's prompt – Moment. Pick one moment during which you felt most alive this year. Describe it in vivid detail (texture, smells, voices, noises, colors). (Author: Ali Edwards)

I can barely remember what I did last week, let alone months ago!  If this question had been asked in 2009, it would have been so much easier.  Alas, here it is 2010 and I have to wonder....when did I feel not dead this year?  My memories from this year are clocked by work:

February: We found out our pastor was being reassigned July 1.
February: A staff member resigned.
(Apparently nothing happened in March/April/May because I can't remember....)
June/July: Spent coordinating pastor's move out and interim pastor's move in.
August: Move out interim pastor, move in new pastor.
All of my time since then has been training a new pastor in the ways of our American culture and our work culture.  Let me just say, I am not a good teacher. 

BUT, there have been moments in the midst of work (non-work-related, of course) when I've felt alive.  Like whenever I've been in M'town with my family.  Or getting bucked off a horse (since I didn't die...if that doesn't make a person feel alive, I don't know what will.) Or my birthday in June (can't believe I survived turning 35). 

I think the one moment I felt most alive was playing Spoons with the Elites.  If you've read any of this blog, you'll know why.  We sit in Bev's sunroom, off the kitchen, around an old, painted-white-so-many-times table that could collapse at any moment because of all the Spoons tournaments played on it. It's warm in the sunroom/kitchen because we're all working our asses off to win. I'm sure I'm sweating.  It smells like smoke because we all smoke. Spoons is a stressful game. Can't imagine what it would be like without nicotine running through every fiber of my being. The noise is "slap, slide, slap"-- the cards. Sounds like it should be a dance of some sort.  The clatter of spoons as a person bumps the table accidentally....yelling because of the false ruse.  Then a mad rush to grab a spoon before they're all taken.  Cussing. Screaming. Laughing.  Mostly laughing. 

It's the rush of the game.  It's the comments made by Grandma & Bev.  It's the belly-aching laughter.  All of it makes me feel alive.  I need a nap just thinking about it.