Life
Letting Go of Summer
Thursday, September 25th, 2008 | Uncategorized | 1 Comment
Letting Go of Summer
Each year, when it first begins to turn chilly and damp, I have the hardest time letting go of summer. I enjoy fall when it finally arrives in all its colorful glory—but during the interim, I am resistant.
While others are talking about how much they love the cool weather, I’m longing for the warm, even hot, sun and gentle breezes. I am unwilling to give up my comfortable sandals to the point of wearing socks with them with no fear of the fashion police. I miss going out into the garden, with an eye for red ripe tomatoes. I pulled up all of my tomato vines last weekend, after picking the last of summer’s bounty. Each time I use one of the last ripe ones in a sandwich or salad, I’m counting the few that are left and mourning the end of the season. As the days become shorter, I’m longing for the light I love. I miss the energy that I feel from the summer sun.
I used to even down right resent the winter—hated it! But, lately I’ve learned that it is God’s way of forcing us to slow down, recuperate from the hard work and play. I’ve learned to channel my energy in new ways—like learning to make homemade soups. Nothing is better on a cool Sunday afternoon than the aroma of soup simmering on the stove. I love researching the soup recipes and deciding on a new one to try every now and then, when I’m not relying on my old favorites.
I suppose that the change of seasons forces us to contemplate, even lament, what is behind us and anticipate what lies ahead. I’m doing that a lot right now. Thinking about my life, what I’ve accomplished, what I haven’t. Searching for a new purpose. Longing for good health. Praying for more time on this earth. Craving comfort and peace of mind. The scripture below gives me guidance and perspective. I hope it does the same for you. Until next time…De Ja Vu
To Every Thing There is a Season - Ecclesiastes 3. 1-8
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
Full Circle
Wednesday, September 17th, 2008 | Adult Children, Cancer Survivor, Retirement | 1 Comment
It seems that God reminds us all the time that our life is a full circle that is constantly intersecting with the circles of others lives. It makes me think about how important it is to reach out to others, connect with their lives, and make a difference in even small, seemingly insignificant ways. Several things yesterday hit that home for me.
As I was walking my first daily mile with my hubby last morning, my dear friend, Lady Elaine, which is our nickname for this elegant woman, waved to us from her car as she drove off to work. She is my friend that started her entire life over by moving here to Washington alone where she knew no one and started a new career after being a devoted wife and mother for many years. Ray & I introduced her to the love of her life that she married this summer after a whirlwind romance. That larger than life smile on her face as she waved, made me think of the full circle that her life had navigated. I think of how her circle has intertwined with mine, as she has been a support and true ally whenever I needed her. I think about how different our lives would be if we had never become friends. I know that God’s divine intervention brought us together.
A second reminder yesterday came in the form of a phone call. My friend, Ed, who has the Midgett ancestral powder horn (mentioned in a previous blog), called with a serendipitous discovery. While cleaning out his mother’s home, he found a letter to her from my hubby. He had written her in 1990 requesting any family information she might have. My hubby, Ray, found her name in the Dare County history archives. This discovery comes within a few days of Ray seeing and holding the powder horn artifact that his great, great, great, great, great, great, great (yes that’s six greats) grandfather had worn by his side. Ed’s mother’s life circle had crossed Ray’s many years before, just as the circles of Ed and I had crossed at WHS.
Lastly, my son has been heavily on my mind lately. He lost his job about a month ago. He and I have been talking daily since he is not so busy working and I am now retired. Although, I want him to find a new job as soon as possible, it has been really good for me (and I think for him also) to talk everyday. It seems like when you feel the most vulnerable in life (both of us not working for different reasons), that through some daily miracle you find someone, like yourself to lean upon. My son probably doesn’t realize how much our conversations are helping me during my transition. Another full circle, he’s helping me while I’m helping him.
Now, by now, you are all probably thinking that I’ve become a little obsessed with this circle of life idea, and that I probably want us to all join hands and sing Kum Bah Yah! But, actually I just want you to think about how many lives you touch everyday—and to not be afraid to reach out, give a nod, a smile, a hello…just connect.
Until tomorrow or later,
De Ja Vu
P.S. My friend, Millie, said to give myself permission to not write everyday..so that’s why the tomorrow or later.