I am surrounded by loveliness. Really, it’s true. I have so much to be thankful for. Cleaning out as much as I did and moving to a fresh new apartment was like getting a new slate in school. There are not as many distractions here. When I moved, I purposed to leave behind or get rid of things that did not make me happy. Then, once here, I have culled box after box of things that I just really do not need. Even with my crafting stuff, I am trying to focus on what I love most and throw out things that I have to give too much thought to. Things that waste my time. Things that I don’t really have a known use for but that I was once afraid to throw away.
I suppose the enormity of my current situation brings little things into focus at lightning speed. Really what value does an old postcard have? What value does a shabby chic bowl or a lace curtain have? Oh, they have their rightful places, but relationships (and peace in those relationships) are the most important things. And I am finding that the material things that mean the most to me are things attached to people.
Boy howdy do I love having a blog and being able to ramble endlessly on and on! So, continuing…
I was looking through photos and photo albums today and bravely throwing away duplicates that at one time I just felt like could not be tossed out. What if I needed one? What if someone wanted one?
Uh, what if I am overwhelmed with STUFF?
In my looking, though, I came across my album of antique photos collected over the years.
These, I cannot toss. I cannot sell. I cannot not love.
I used to look at faces differently. I took them completely at face value. What about that for a redundant saying? Or a pun? Or whatever! But I did! I thought that whatever was on the face reflected what was inside, but now I know that’s sometimes not true.
A smile can cover up tears. Tears can be false. Anger hides hurt. And so it goes.
Anyway, I love to just look at these faces and ponder over what they went thorugh. I think of the times they lived in and wonder what part of history we read about that they were shaped by, or helped to shape!
These old photos are more than just pictures to me. They are people.
Books? Oh my have I gotten rid of boxes and boxes full. But I’m not getting rid of all. I have a special shelf just for our Five In A Row books. Those books are attached to some of the sweetest memories I have with my children.
I also have rediscovered my love of reading for sheer pleasure and even now I am reading a novel, chapter by chapter, late at night after the kids are in bed. Makes me feel like I’m in college again! My joints don’t necessarily agree, but that’s okay! I think I know who’s boss around here, and it ain’t my knees. Yet.
Recently I was sent some books by a dear reader and these books are so precious. They, too, are books that I cannot part with. They are attached to a person. To a kindness. To a time in life when, really, a dreadful lot hangs in the balance. I know I’ll never look back on this time and take it lightly.
I had never heard of these books! Have you? What a treasure! John and Michaela and I huddled together on my bed and read them. We read parts out loud. We read quietly. It was a sweet time. These books are simple yet rich, and the photographs of the author’s dolls are amazingly sweet! There are simple lessons in the books. Does it suprise anyone that the characters in the books listen to nature? Ah, my kin. (Anyway, thank you for the books. Proper card on the way to you.)
As far as the author of the book, you can see Tracy Gallup’s website for more info about her talent!
There have been many, many other kindnesses done as well. This morning was spent writing out thank you cards and quietly thinking on things.
Still waiting on time to work a work, wondering how this all will turn out.
I better head to bed. It’s been a long work day, and there have been terrible storms today, not far from here. Loss of life, even.
Enjoy each day.
