Serendipitous Kind of Day

Week 17


Three times today I have encountered a word I seldom hear used but have always loved. I love the way it gently rolls off the tongue when I say it. I love the way it trills along when I hear it spoken. I opened my horoscope before I even climbed out of bed this morning. It began, “Your impulsive behavior is making you more open to serendipity…”

Now, I am the first to admit that I do tend to be impulsive but I can’t imagine how that could make me more open to serendipity. The very definition of the word is, “A happy accident or pleasant surprise”. With a shake of my head, I climbed out of bed and began my day.

Driving home from Ms. I listened to an audio book (I listen to them constantly while travelling back and forth now). I was startled to hear the author read the words, “Darling, you simply must open yourself up so that you will be prepared when serendipity comes calling!” I actually went back and listened to it a second time.

A few hours later, while listening to the radio in the background, I chuckled over a skit they were performing until I heard the punchline, “Blame it on serendipity.”

I am sitting here wondering what it all could possibly mean when it suddenly occurs to me that it could simply mean that I might receive the pleasant surprise of having a reason to use the word serendipity repeatedly. I came home to a wondrously clean house. That was definitely a pleasant surprise. Or maybe, there is a different sort of pleasant surprise awaiting me. Regardless, I have decided it is a serendipitous kind of day!

It's The New Normal

Week 16

For the last two weeks, I have not taken my regular trips to Ms. I have been at home in Fl. What an odd time it has been. The bombing of the Boston Marathon and the events that led to the capture of two people. Packing and worrying, babysitting and working, and relaxing every chance I got. It felt terribly decadent.

I needed the break, such as it was, but now it's time to get back to my routine. It's time to go back to the new normal. It's time to take care of Mama.

Sorting Through Memories

Week 15

I find the tasks I am currently working on at home quite daunting. It is so difficult to sort through the remains of another person’s life. It feels like you are invading their privacy as you look at their photographs, read through cards and letters, and sift through keepsakes mostly from places you may have never heard of and certainly have never been.

Sometimes I feel like I’m throwing away too much. At others, it feels like I need to throw away more. I don’t know why it bothers me so much. I just know that it does, even though it certainly doesn’t seem to bother anyone else in the family. I have asked and asked everyone to tell me what they want from the house with very little response from any of them. Left to do it on my own seems to make it more difficult to decide what goes with us and what is disposed of.

I have come to the conclusion that the majority will go to be sorted and dealt with after we are gone from here. I catch myself pausing in my tasks to let the memories of them wash over me; Mom and Dad… my in-laws… my friends. When I’m in a place where I’m not so distracted with my own memories, maybe I’ll find it easier to let go.
But for now, I have memories to sort through, boxes to pack and a house to get ready to leave behind. You never know what tomorrow will bring.

Change

Week 14

I know I can’t change you.

I can only change me.

For the last several years, I have lived with constant change. I would like to believe I have grown because of those changes. I know I’ve come to see many things differently than I used to.


None of it is changing you.

All of it is changing me.


I have been forced to re-evaluate my priorities and search my soul. I have been forced to make decisions that have affected the lives of many and will affect many more.

You will never be changed by it.

I will forever be changed by it.

You will not change.

I have no choice but to.