“I can’t help flying on the wings of anticipation. It’s as glorious as soaring through a sunset … almost pays for the thud.” ~Lucy Maude Montgomery, author
Oh, how I love Lucy Maude Montgomery’s quote! I laughed out loud when I read it the first time; and I laughed out loud again when I read it to my husband.
L.M. Montgomery is best known for the much-beloved Anne of Green Gables series. She seems to have been a delightful mix of idealism and pragmatism. Yes, anticipation is a heady emotion … but sometimes when the waiting is over, all you end up with is a headache.
That may be a bit harsh. Sometimes anticipation results in a long-awaited dream come true: a book contract or a promotion or a wedding ring or a baby to hold or a trip to Australia (works for me!) or even a quiet afternoon with nothing to do. (Admit it: There are all types of anticipation.)
But there’s always the thud. The eventual return to reality. Normalcy. Does that mean all that eager expectation was a waste of emotion? Absolutely not. And there’s always another chance to anticipate … something.
In Your Words: What are you anticipating? Do you find the glorious “soaring through the sunset” feeling is worth the thud?
Comments 33
If something is worth the wait, it’s always worth the thud.
I loved L. M. Montgomery’s quote. Thanks for sharing.
Loree:
I like the way you think, my friend. I like the way you think.
🙂
Since I’ve spent the day soaring after having seen the cover of my debut novel for the first time, I would definitely say that the “soaring through the sunset” feeling is worth the thud. I’ve waited a long time for this day, and I savored it. Sure, reality will return, but I can treasure the high I experienced today and relive it in my mind’s eye when I’m living in Thudsville at some point down the road, and I’ll be uplifted.
Congratulations on seeing your cover, Keli! Sooo happy for you. 🙂
Everyone, celebrate with us! 🙂
Keli,
Soar away, sweet friend! Yes, you’ll thud back to the trenches (edits, edits, edits) but if you frame that book cover you’ll have inspiration a-plenty to help you soar again!
So happy for you!
🙂
That feeling of anticipation is amazing. I’m anticipating my novel being published in a few months, and the thud of efforts behind reaching and continuing my goal is definitely worth it. I’ve learned and grown every step of the way, as a person, and more specifically, as an author.
Joanne,
You’ve taken a different path to soaring than some … but more and more are following in your footsteps. And I like how you talk about the “thuds” before and after the soaring. A most excellent point!
The thud is unpleasant but the bounce should help us glimpse the next long and pleasant soaring possibility.
Terrific perspective, Dee! 🙂
I remember feeling this really strongly after coming home from Young Life (Christian youth) camps. I’m anticipating spending the whole day in jammies and opening gifts with my kids on Christmas.
~ Wendy
Ah, the anticipation of not more … but less. Less doing and more “being.”
I’m anticipating writing “The End” for the first time. I’ve been in the place of anticipating a diamond on my finger, full arms, and the anticipation was definitely worth the thud(s) that came. I think anticipation is worth the thud. 🙂 I’m more like Anne than Marilla, who likes her feet (and emotions) firmly planted on the ground. 🙂
Cheering you on as you pursue “The End.”
And every Anne needs a Marilla, don’t they?
I think my problem is sometimes doing too much anticipating and not enough savoring, which can make the anticipating exhausting. However, it also means I don’t really live in “Thudsville,” as Keli called it, for too long! Guess I’m just a dreamer… Right now, I’m dreaming of finishing my novel and seeking an agent for representation. I’ve accepted that I may be anticipating that one for awhile… 🙂
Soaring, savoring … thud … Soaring, savoring … thud …
There’s definitely a cycle, isn’t there?
Anticipation is fun. This year, we were busy making plans for my in-laws 50th anniversary. After the party, my mother-in-law said she couldn’t believe it was all over. I think the anticipation and preparation for the celebration was maybe more exciting than the event. After the party, it was like … oh, there’s no party to plan for anymore. Personally, I have lots of things to anticipate, so one event, activity leads to another. Maybe I do that to prevent the harshness of the thud?
That’s one way to shorten the effect of the thud, Stacey.
Brilliant!
😉
I love that quote!! In the Kevin Sullivan “Anne” movies (1980s), Anne actually says that quote (or a paraphrase of it) in response to Marilla when Marilla chides her for setting her heart “too much on frivolous things.” (Yes, I have the movies memorized.) No joke, like two weeks ago I quoted Anne’s response/Lucy’s quote to someone who was telling me not to put so much stock in something I was hoping for. I’m a big hoper, which, yeah, means thuds now and then. But I’m with Lucy and Anne…that soaring, “flying on the wings of anticipation” feeling is worth (or almost worth) the thud most times. 🙂
Ooh, Melissa, I need to find the ’80s version of the “Anne” movies. I love the PBS version. And why am I not surprised you have them memorized?
I think we’re talking about the same movies. The ones PBS usually plays are the same ones, I think…with Meagan Follows as Anne? I love, love, love those movies…(except I don’t much care for the third movie they made later on…it just wasn’t the same…)
Yes, we are. And I bought the third movie. Watched it. Threw it in the trash.
Loved those ones too. Have the first two sets on VHS. Keep hinting at them for Christmas, but…..You can probably find them on CBD’s website or on e-bay. 🙂 Fell in love with Anne through these movies. 🙂
The PBS series is a “can watch it any time” series. And I love all her books. Rilla of Ingleside is one of my favorites.
Yep, definitely a junker. But the first two–favorites!
Anticipation. And the thud afterwards. BTW, love that quote. I learned as a child that looking forward to Christmas presents was really the best part of getting the presents. I don’t think a lot of children growing up now experience that anticipation. Which is sad. Right now, I’m anticipating Deep Thinkers. And I know that will be worth the thud of coming back home!
Expectation, the twin sister to anticipation, is one of my favorite words. I have a friend who won’t allow herself to anticipate good things because of the thud you mention, Beth, so she never gets to experience the soaring. A few years ago, during my sixtieth year, I made some life-changing decisions. All those together have raised my ability to stop worrying and spend a lot more time expecting good things to happen. If they don’t, then it wasn’t God’s will. (And I deal with them.) But my entire system is better off for it. My continued improvement in health attests to that fact!
What do I anticipate? A beautiful Christmas, no matter what happens or who I see or don’t see. A healthy new grandchild, my baby’s firstborn. Flying across the country to introduce myself to her. Loving and being loved by family and friends. Gathering with my high school class to celebrate turning sixty-five. (We are the class of ’65!) Working harder at writing and obeying God’s call in that area. Better and better health. Growing strength. That God has good plans and some wonderful surprises for me in the year ahead!
Thanks, Beth, for starting us off on such a high note this morning. There is snow on the ground in Mid-Ohio this morning. The Christmas tree is twinkling. Perhaps it’s the day I hang my outside lights. (It must be snowing for that to happen, and Christmas carols will ring out in my garage, a bit tinny on the old boom box.) Whatever it holds, you’ve got me anticipating a good day! Reading this post, I’m sure you are, too!
Oh, Beth, what a thoroughly delightful quote! I’ve never heard that before. I’m sitting here laughing out loud! Thanks for this thought-provoking post. I am anticipating seeing my first Bible study in traditional print format. It will be a surreal, giddy, humbling, bawling experience! God is amazing, my Friend. I believe thuds are productive. And vital. They’re the meat of our faith. In the midst of our thuds, he instructs us and gently repairs/adds feathers to reach even greater heights with Him. And for Him. Soaring is the delicious topping.
Thuds=the meat of our faith.
Thought-provoking perspective.
Once again, I love the conversation going on at this blog!
I’m anticipating the end of the novel I’m writing and the possibilities that holds for next year.
That’s a wonderful thing to be soaring toward … Savor every moment, Cindy!
I love the highs of anticipation, but I also like returning to normalcy. I’m kind of hooked on having a schedule. 🙂
Schedules are good, Sarah. And sometimes there’s nothing like a schedule.