I've always been fascinated by time and perspective. As a child, I was awed that adults could remember what year a particular event happened. As an adult, I've realized that it wasn't just matching a numerical year to an event; it was remembering all the peripheral situations (Which house was I living in at the time? Which children were born then? What music was playing?) and triangulating all the data to come up with the year.
This past week has provided one reminder after another that time is passing. In writing that, I realize that my sentence will be read through the experiences of my readers. For those with more years than me, it might be internalized with a imagined pat on my head and a "just wait until you reach my age." For those younger, it might just seem the ramblings of an old woman. No matter how you interpret it, though, the fact is that another week has gone, and I am thankful: not just for the week, but for the months and years, as well.
I'm thankful for 31 years of marriage to John. That's a long time, but not long enough.
I'm thankful for the children we raised, and I'm thankful for the grown-ups they have become.
I'm thankful to officially be an empty-nester. Youngest child moved into an apartment this past week. It will be an adjustment for all of us, but it is as it should be, and I am excited for her burgeoning independence.
I'm thankful for humor. Although the specific following experience never happened to me, life has provided many situations that gave me a choice of how to react. Like Marjorie Hinckley, "I prefer to laugh, because crying gives me a headache."
I'm thankful to live this year in the same college town where John and I went to school.
I'm thankful for the blossoms of spring. Ever since we moved into this house, I've been waiting for the wisteria to bloom, and it is now starting. This plant looks like it has been here for a very long time!
I'm thankful for the seasons that mark the passage of time. Summer will follow spring, autumn will follow summer, winter will follow autumn, and then we will be back to spring again. Time ticks on.
I'm thankful for little fleeting moments that make lasting memories, and I'm thankful to be able to share those moments with John.
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Every week, bloggers from all over the world join together to express thankfulness. Please consider joining us at the Ten Things of Thankful blog.
This past week has provided one reminder after another that time is passing. In writing that, I realize that my sentence will be read through the experiences of my readers. For those with more years than me, it might be internalized with a imagined pat on my head and a "just wait until you reach my age." For those younger, it might just seem the ramblings of an old woman. No matter how you interpret it, though, the fact is that another week has gone, and I am thankful: not just for the week, but for the months and years, as well.
I'm thankful for 31 years of marriage to John. That's a long time, but not long enough.
I'm thankful for the children we raised, and I'm thankful for the grown-ups they have become.
I'm thankful to officially be an empty-nester. Youngest child moved into an apartment this past week. It will be an adjustment for all of us, but it is as it should be, and I am excited for her burgeoning independence.
I'm thankful for humor. Although the specific following experience never happened to me, life has provided many situations that gave me a choice of how to react. Like Marjorie Hinckley, "I prefer to laugh, because crying gives me a headache."
I'm thankful to live this year in the same college town where John and I went to school.
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| Photo: An illuminated "Y" on the mountain illuminates an otherwise dark night. (The Y was lit up for graduation.) |
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| Photo: A very thick wisteria vine wraps around the metal support pole of the patio cover. The vine looks like a gnarled old tree trunk. |
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| Photo: The purple blossoms of a wisteria vine are just starting to open up through the slats of the white wooden patio cover. |
I'm thankful for little fleeting moments that make lasting memories, and I'm thankful to be able to share those moments with John.
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Every week, bloggers from all over the world join together to express thankfulness. Please consider joining us at the Ten Things of Thankful blog.
Time. Your description of the passage and meaning of it is lyrical and poetic. That wisteria vine around the pole is incredible. I've been enjoying the purple magic of the flowers as we traveled south this weekend. Spring is coming - no doubt - and if it seems late, perhaps summer will hang around a little longer like the winter did this year. I don't think a mother's nest is ever empty. Enjoy the time.
ReplyDeleteI agree that a mother's love, influence, and involvement continues even after the children have moved out.
DeleteYou know how to get the tears flowing with that song. Thank you for the follow-up video!
ReplyDeleteThat wisteria is going to be gorgeous! I can't remember if they have a beautiful smell too.
Wisteria do have a great smell. Unfortunately, it was too cold today to smell the flowers. We even had a bit of snow!
DeleteCongratulations to your youngest: may she gain confidence and blossom with her new independence.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteI think I said it on FB but happy anniversary. That's a lot of years to love and be thankful for, and that's a thankful thing for sure. I hope to be as thankful as you when my only is out of the nest... your attitude about it is inspiring and full of hope. Your being thankful for the seasons reminds me of why I'm happy to be going to Colorado. I think we had one day of spring here in VA. On Monday. Sunday, it was cold and windy. Monday was perfect, and today was humid and 94. I have to say I'm a bit done with the blossoms though. My car is yellow full of pollen and my nose? Oh wow. I'm happy we'll be closer in geography. I'm thankful for that because it'll be so cool to meet you in person one day.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your move. It's not for the faint-hearted, but can be a really good thing--and finding things (like seasons) to be thankful for helps with the sadness.
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