August 20,
2013
4:30 a.m.
It’s
fascinating to watch the ebb and flow of life (or life style). Like the wave
movement of the ocean, it’s inexorable…and yet, like a kaleidoscope, constantly
shifting. Lying awake in the darkness, I was considering the changes…and how
the resulting ripples affect those around us causing their kaleidoscope patterns
and colors to adjust as well.
Within the
past few days there have been a number of FaceBook posts as young people in
friends’ families are leaving “the nest” for college. That causes a major
realignment. For a number of friends,
this is “the last one” to leave home which creates a sort of vacuum (“empty
nest syndrome”). I was just
contemplating what kinds of things rush in to fill the resulting space; what
activities we believe we will pursue “in retirement” and the contrasting
reality.
With
daylight, I will look out my windows at untended flower beds and ponder what it
is that so fills my hours that I am unable to achieve even the projects that
bring me joy. I still have the same 24 hours in each day. “They say” that once retired you’ll wonder
how you ever found the time to work. I’d like to define what it is that I’m now
doing with all that time.
Most
mornings include at least an hour on the computer in my Snuggery to catch up on
news of my friends and families. THAT is
something current that I didn’t do while I “had a life”. In bygone days, we would have lunch to chat
and share a few photos of the kids… whenever we could tuck in those pleasurable
moments.
The arrival
of FaceBook, for me, meant an opportunity to reconnect with former school mates
from the 60’s. That has been a wonderful
experience… My friend-list grew by a large number of people who share similar
values and beliefs; who share their blessings and uphold one another in prayers.
We are of comparable age: many posts cause me to count my blessings as I
realize that not everyone has the health and resulting freedoms that I still
take for granted.
Another
FaceBook activity is gleaning and posting information to a group of “friends”
from Church. This project started to help me keep track of prayer requests and
their updates. Learning of physical needs has encouraged me to be more faithful
in mailing out greeting cards and notes.
My goal is 3 per day but I suspect the overall average may be closer to
one. “Envelopes without windows” in the
incoming mail are becoming more rare but I still LOVE handwritten thank-you
notes and greeting cards…and believe I’m not alone. Besides, someone has to
support the salaries of mail-carriers!!
Without
other responsibilities preempting, by 10 a.m. Midget and I head to Via Verde for
coffee with Mom. During this past two
weeks—since my return from Dallas
Suitcases
weren’t even out of the van on Monday morning before Helpful L.O.U. drafted me
to help with emptying a house. Truth to
be told, I’m sure that activity accounts for many of the “lost” hours. Even
when she’s on the road and I’m at home working on my Mary Kay orders or
inventory, she’ll call to recheck an address or some other little need.
Yesterday
morning we unloaded the truck, picked up a dining room sideboard and took it to
the warehouse; loaded two love-seats, a television and a stand…all before 9
a.m. (My weight-training exercises. Ha!)
About 2
months ago I traded Helpful L.O.U. the two recliners in my family room for a
sofa sleeper. The intent was a direct
replacement but when we brought the piece in through the front door, we
realized that it looked very nice in the living room…so we moved the
double-recliner sofa from the living room into the family room instead. That
has worked well on all counts. The
double-recliner sofa apparently isn’t quite so comfortable for Midget with the
result that if I fall asleep in the family room, she takes herself off to find
a cozy spot elsewhere (also good for me since she’s less likely to disturb my
rest).
The
inaugural use of the sofa-sleeper occurred on July 29th during a
visit from my nephew David and his family.
The dates of their visit (from Indiana )
coincided with the time I was scheduled to be in Dallas
It’s fully
daylight now, but with coastal eddy laying in here, the sun won’t come “up” for
another hour or more. These foggy, gray
starts and accompanying moisture are good for vegetation…my roses are doing
well. By 9-ish, the sun burns through
and the afternoons are warm. It’s “hot”
if you’re doing physical activity outdoors, but overall, the house stays temperate
and hasn’t required supplemental cooling.
Some of my
former FaceBook friends have dropped off for an assortment of personal
reasons. In an effort to not lose
contact with them, I’m going to TRY to write and email an “Update” oftener than
“annually”. Hope this finds you doing
well and preparing for an awesome autumn.
In memory of Tom...
