Relishing the moment
Cherishing the Now
I often wonder if it takes living past middle age to realize just how precious life is and how simple things can bring it more crystal clear to us. Not that things were less opaque to me in my younger years, but they did not seem as "urgent" or maybe that is not quite the right word either. Perhaps it has to do with slowing down, and knowing life is not forever.
Yesterday, my younger dogs went to doggie daycare and my older dog and I stayed home and mimicked each others behavior. Chloe, who will be 12 lay on the floor or her favorite spot, on the porch as the sunlight shone on her soft fur. I made my way outside to the lawn chair, hoping to get some vitamin D from the sun, and both of us kind of moaned a sigh of relief.
I work several jobs during the year and some of the time spend over 12 hours a day either working or driving to work, or driving home. It is dark outside in the morning, and again at evening-tide. I spin my wheels and battle the elements knowing that when spring comes, and then summer, I will be down to only one or two of the jobs and they can be done from home. Awakening early to the smell of fresh brewed coffee, I open the doors to the sunlight peeping in from its rising. As the day wears on, I take my exercise walk, weed the garden and work online correcting papers and answering e-mails. Sometimes, I take a long and delicious nap.
My husband had the night shift yesterday, so I took full advantage of cleaning and emptying closets of old worn attire, and things that no longer fit me. I traveled to the Goodwill feeling lighter and lighter. Chloe watched me working in the kitchen, and was curious of my whereabouts. She was not however, underfoot. She found a cool spot and watched quietly. She can no longer hear, so she is not disturbed by the random sounds that often stir the other two canines. I reflected upon her beauty, and her wisdom. She earned her place in the home as an elder due to her service and dedication to myself and my family.
Walking outside at about 7 pm, I made my way up several inclines to the top of the hill on which I live. From that vista, the beauty of Mt Rainier was evident and stood like a beacon in a storm. I reflected upon the journey, one that does not end until we decide to leave the planet, and I took in the breathtaking wonder of life. My crystalline vision was inspiring, although it is the inner vision of which I speak. We carry with us so much baggage in our lives, and we tread an uphill battle most times, never stopping to enjoy the view after the long and arduous climb. This time, I reveled in wonder. I took a mental picture of the time, the place and the beauty of it the moment that would never happen again in the same exact way. I smiled with gratitude at the precious time in my life where I can reflect upon these things.
Turning a corner, I came upon a group of children sitting in a garage with the door open, and the young teacher of the daycare was readying to pull the door down for the evening. She smiled and waved at me in a sincere attempt to connect. I waved back stating that it looked like she had quite a group of kids there with her. I simply said "hello kids!" to all the little ones in their tiny little chairs, peering at me walk by. They all waved excitedly and said hello back. I thought instantly that those little children and I had something in common. Although separated by over 40 years in chronological age, we both were enjoying the moment, and the beauty of the now. We both shared in the joy that a simple moment brings, and our souls both rejoiced in being "seen" and acknowledged in the world.
What more could anyone ask for than that?
