July 07, 2025
A Return to Old Joys
Hello !
Submitting to the inner prompt to blog again , it made sense to scroll waaayyy back...
to the beginning of this lovely gift blog . Over the course of its 19 year life , those
posts covered the good and the bad (the ugly was not shared )of my rather odd life . It
memorialized the arrival and passings of dear kitties , precious daily joys , Mom's gradual
descent into an unavoidable medical condition that she never deserved and an unexpected ,
hard-won resilience...clawing back to some semblance of peace and joy over the ensuing years .
Along the way , bits of long-lost recipes , forgotted poems , the kindnesses of friends , now gone ,
and events that helped us through dark times , floated to the surface . Surprising was the
greatly diminished response to what might have been an overwhelmingly sad , emotional reaction ,
especially to Mom's documented end journey... interesting . I still miss her and our daily
banter in all the good times and do not regret the 24/7/365 loving care during those
not-so-good times . She passed in peace...the warm summer breezes from the window behind ,
gently washing over her , bringing the wonderful happy sounds of a family picnic at a
neighbor's house...not a bad way to go...
July 06, 2025
Musings
Greetings !
When working as a caregiver , some folks proudly would show me photos from their youth .
There were times when the past images bore little resemblance to their current forms .
Delicate diplomacy was called for , but the disappointment on their faces was unmistakable .
Fast-forward to a recent gathering of chosen family , when photos of my youth were shared .
I was not unprepared for the questioning glances of the young ladies who whispered , "You ??".
There is an interesting separation between the conscious awareness of self and the condition of the
form that contains it . Aware of this in my 20s , I began to ask friends in their 70s and 80s
about it . "When you first wake up in the morning , before you move , at what age are you ?" .
After a surprised moment and genuine consideration , the consensus was 17 - 22 .I now share
that perception . Those early images still resonate with my inner self , to the degree that reality
can take one by surprise ! That inner self may not age , but it does come to a point where
kindness to the outer self is requested . Stamina and strength , once boundless , must now be
measured and expended wisely...definitely not a compromise willingly taken...rather grudgingly
accepted ...sigh .
A Special Day
Today , July 5th , 2025 , is an extraordinary day...
not for its pomp , nor huge events , but for its elegant simplicity .
Looking out my back door , I saw a tiny Song Sparrow hop halfway
up my steps , then cut through the iron railings to a storage bin .
The bin's lid had collected water from our significant three-day
rainstorm . At first , the bird hopped on for a few genteel sips ,
to satisfy its thirst . Realizing perhaps that the slight angle allowed a
greater depth of water along one edge , it ventured in for a quick bath ,
wings fluttering to spread the cleansing coolness . After flying back
to the ground , to peck among the pebbles , it must have decided the
new shaded "pool" was an opportunity not to be missed ! A second bath ensued
...longer and more thorough than the first . Having satisfied a need
in an unexpected gift , the bird flew up into the ripening Choke Cherry
tree to dry off and have a quick snack .
It is the discovery of these small blessings that brings such peace :
the bees in my lavender plants...the little porch garden and its gifts
of herbs and tiny tomatoes...the kindness of good friends , a son's
genuine caring and an adoring cat with a huge personality , sassiness
and much wisdom. My life now is small , simple and brings much contentment
...and I am most thankful !
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