I often wonder why after so many
life altering events over the last 10 years that I am still sane. Yes, there is some humour in qualifying me as
"sane" for there are times this is questionable. However, last night's events did clarify why
I feel that I am of sound mind despite everything life throws at me ... it is
because I "roll with the punch".
Another typical Friday evening -
stop at the grocery store for a loaf of bread; a full hour later I am leaving
the store. Holding my basket, I
remembered that I did not have any coarse salt for my Lime-A-Rita glass. I walk down the aisle and say hello to a
familiar face. No sooner had I passed
him, I remembered that cherries are required.
Turning back, a quick exchange of words turned into a one hour
discussion. Topic - widowhood; I much
younger in age yet older in grief, listened.
His facial expressions and body language spoke of the slow release of
loneliness and increasing trust that his audience would not shut him down with
this uneasy subject. Leaving the store,
I noted the sun reminding me that time is running out for my evening plans to
tackle the back yard. Oh well, there is
a time and a place for everything. Obviously, I was where I needed to be! Two choices, one upset because plans have
been foiled or two deal with what time I have left.
As expected, the house was quiet.
Friday evening, the boys are out. Quick supper and out I go armed with my
trusted weed whacker, gloves and the Canadian
Tenors! Feeling great because the
sun although low still illuminating the back yard. Roll out the numerous extension cords
required, I flip the switch. Motor roars
but no results. No line left. Two choices, one upset because my tool is not
whacking or two deal with what other work needs tending. Back to the garage to pick up my cutters and
start hacking at the bush in need of serious trimming. Now hacking to the rhythm of the serious ballad
coming from my loyal Tenors. Picking up
the remains of the discarded branches, I notice that the weeds are encroaching
on the flowerbed. A quiet moment between
songs, I heard the new sound of the many mosquitoes attacking my neck, arms and
ears. Guess it is time to either - head
into the house or to arm myself against this constant attack. Back to the garage for a shovel and a mosquito
jacket to make the best of what sunlight is left. Walking back to the garden, the setting sun
rewarded my senses with the most spectacular scene. Life's precious moments warmed my heart.
I was rewarded this morning while
taking a walk around the gardens. Two
choices again. One to appreciate the
work that has been done or two be discouraged because the back yard is still
plagued with weeds. Easy choice.
With every new event, I have chosen to seek the silver lining to every dark cloud and to "roll with the punch".
