I have been going through papers and stuff that my husband and I had accumulated over the 61 years of our marriage. He is gone now so I don't worry like I did at one time about what he would want or think. I am just making myself at home in my own home now. It feels good but I am just a little afraid. All of the what ifs are going through my mind...What if I get rid of something important or necessary? I used the term "disrespectful" the other day. There are drawers of memorabilia and files of past taxes and even clipping about dream vacations and the list goes on. I need to sort through another person's life and it seems a little disrespectful right now.
Yet, in the midst of it all, I have discovered silver linings. I am like that. My glass is always half full.
Yesterday I was clearing our file folders in a closet when I came across a three ring binder filled with old emails from various people...mostly family dating back to 2001.
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| The current big dog in my daughter's family...Moose. Just as much fun as Teagan was. |
Here is a story about a grandson that was 6-7 at the time and a dead possum the dog had found.
The dog might have killed the possum herself but the email did not mention that. Ethan, the grandson, was so fascinated by the event he did not take his eyes off the back yard for a very long time. Eventually Teagan, the dog, returned to the back door without the possum in tow. It had turned dark and Ethan went looking for a flashlight (that worked) and came up against a dead end.
His mother suggested that they wait till morning so they could see what they were looking for but Ethan was determined and was sure the dog would go out the next morning and return with a flopping possum in his mouth.
As his mom was putting his little sister in bed he strolled upstairs calm as could be...he had a very good idea. "Mom," he said, "if I was really determined to find the possum I would get the vacuum cleaner out."
"The vacuum cleaner? Why?" his mother asked.
"Well, I could take the vacuum out and plug it in and use the light on the front of the vacuum to find the possum."
She gulped trying not to laugh. "Well," she said, "I'm certainly glad you are not determined to find the possum tonight." She went to bed. There was no vacuum sound so I guess Ethan did too.
I am rereading these emails. What a gift. Yes things did go away but in the process I am gaining so much back. It is wonderful.
I hope you are having a good week.
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Post of about Teagan: When the Dog Dies...Saying Goodbye to Teagan
Dear Barbara, the story of the dog, the possum, and Ethan--whose natural curiosity and love of animals bought forth true creative thinking is a delight. And your response to finding it is also.
ReplyDeleteYears and years ago when I would come home from grade school or high school grousing about someone or something--this was during the 1940s and early 1950s--my Mom who married during the depression when hard times hit her and Dad, would always say to me, "Dolores, you find what you look for. If you look for good, you will find it. And if you look for bad, you will surely find that also."
Those words are her legacy to me. When I forget them and let myself concentrate on what I don't have or what isn't exactly right in my world, I find myself moody and unhappy and sometimes ready to throw in the towel!
Looking for good has become a habit that had enriched my life in every way.
Seems as if it is a habit for you, too. Peace.
Yes it is...looking for the good or humorous gets me through. In fact, I love life. What a blessing that is.
DeleteBe well.
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