Carly Simon said it this way: “Anticipation . . . it’s making me late, it’s keeping me waiting.”
And some things in life are more full of anticipation than others. Some days and some events are so full of excitement and promise that waiting for them to arrive really is the hardest part (to quote another rocker).
So here are five things in my life that I find really hard to wait for:
5. The first day on a new job. Fortunately, this has only happened three times as an adult: with the USTA in 1985, at Mt. Carmel United Methodist in 1990 and at Good Shepherd in 1999. I vividly remember the awful nerves I had before those first two Sundays. Interestingly, when Good Shepherd opened its current Worship Center in 2005, I was almost as nervous that day as the first one at the church . . . and I’d already been here six years.
4. The first meal after a long fast. Don’t eat as much as you want to. There will be trouble later.
3. A Sunday morning when I know the elements have been soaked in prayer and filled with the Spirit. I was actually more nervous this past Sunday — the first in Mad People Disease — than I usually am, primarily because I like the series so much and I know it has great potential in people’s lives.
2. The start of a Grand Slam tournament. I’m sure I am posting on this topic on this particular day because the U.S. Open just ended (dismally, I might add), meaning we have to wait for January, in Australia, for the next of tennis’ majors. And the next in Roger Federer’s quixotic attempt at title 18.
1. The next Don Henley album. He is neither speedy nor prolific. 1989’s The End Of The Innocence was followed by 2000’s Inside Job which in turn was followed by . . . crickets. Until the 25th of this month when he will release the country-flavored Cass County. Much of the music is already out there, so I guess this one really will happen.
