Anticipation

“An-tis-ah-pay-shon”—the syllables of the song roll through my mind. Not sure where I heard it; maybe it was a television commercial. If it was, unfortunately for the advertiser, I have no clue what product with which to associate it. Anticipation is a powerful life force but one I seldom think about. It is something l experience and observe each day. Let’s see.
The first thought that comes to mind is my grandson on the verge of a landmark third birthday. “Everyone” in his school (daycare) has already had a birthday and a party. My grandson’s big day is approaching—slowly. I am sure he very little relative benchmarks of time. That’s anticipation.
I see wide-eyed infants eagerly seeking the smell and feel of their doting mother. Soon a group of antsy youngsters in their back-to-school finest will congregate at a corner constantly looking for that big yellow school bus. Folks who have driven miles to a local dairy farm down the road line up anticipating cones of their creamy high butterfat treats. Most Sundays, untold millions retire to their favorite viewing area awaiting their superstar driver, homerun hitter, fullback, or golfer hoping they’ll perform their delightful magic. Then there are those who have waited somewhat patiently for a new “can’t live without” game like the Sims 3. Personally, I can’t wait to see each of my three wonderful children in the coming weeks. And the list goes on of delights that we anticipate.
There are a whole range of anticipations that aren’t so “warm and fuzzy.” Someone I am close to is increasingly apprehensive about the unknowns of an upcoming doctor’s appointment. An inmate in our local county prison awaits a sentencing that at minimum means years away from his young offspring. Many self-employed dread the horrors of an approaching April 15th tax payment. The proud, but troubled, parents of a young military enlistee live with thoughts of what could be. A young mother (and her family) apprehensively awaits that elusive life-giving liver transplant. Some first time homebuyers who were “blessed” with a miraculous adjustable rate mortgage face a third consecutive month without necessary funds to avoid foreclosure. The list goes on and on.
You see anticipation can be either a good or bad experience. Both “faith” and “fear” are different forms of anticipation and unfortunately I know them both. My mind grapples with the perceived “realities” and expectations of the future. The difference often rests in the source and depth of my trust, especially when it is in myself. Perhaps my personal anticipations speak volumes that may necessitate some re-evaluation.