Life is thickly sown with thorns, and I know no other remedy
than to pass quickly through them. The longer we dwell on our
misfortunes, the greater is their power to harm us. ” – Miguel de Cervantes (author of Don Quixote)
*****
I’ve been bid by one of the most awesome people I know, to commit to memory a moment in time that we shared. This moment was only special to me because of the honor bestowed… for her, this moment signified another step in an ongoing journey to do the right thing… all the time… for everyone.
Picture yourself, midway into your life, and you must find a home for your parents. These people, who brought you into this world, half a lifetime ago… who welcomed with joy and abandon the unknown quantity that you were, and set out to help you become the quantity you know yourself to be. No matter what or how your life has unfolded… this responsibility is singular… especially at this time… your parents are on their way out of this world… this will be the last space that they share… the last piece of heaven there is on earth. One single last opportunity to prove to them how thankful you are and how much peace and joy you want for them.
We arrive at the house to four jovial gentlemen who’d completed their task of inspecting the property you’ve selected for these precious people. We’re led through every sunny spotless inch of this home, a perfect little box, with a manageable and manicured backyard that opens up onto endless blue skies. I don’t even think I noticed a single cobweb….
Walk past the threshold into an open layout interior… every inch of the place white and untouched, the carpet is so plush, your shoes remove themselves at the door. Sparkling glass cast light shards lead you down the hallway which opens up onto the coziest expanse of a living space… anything you need within three steps of a walker…. an important consideration considering what, or rather who, this living space will accomodate. I know I didn’t notice a single spec of dust…
Enter the basement, again, somehow magically opens up, unfinished, yet completely touched. All the cracks are sealed, all the insulation is laid… you could store an entire lifetime of memories in a basement like that. A perfect box with perfect compartments for storing any manner of goods, both the perishable, and the non-perishable… the light… and the heavy. Those things that we rotate throughout the seasons, and sometimes purge… depending on who you are… some of us like to be more prepared and keep storage for the future… for comfort. Some of us like to run and hide when things get too rough, and lo… isn’t there a place to hide…. well, and for cold storage too.
I’m told that the crowning touch on this home is in the attic. Apparently builders don’t seal attic hatches for some silly reason, and shockingly, this seemingly knowledgeable inspector was aghast that whoever had built this home DID. How very touching to know that the person who built this house, without knowing you, or your parents, or anyone who would ever live in that home, took the time to practice his craft to mastery.
I imagine that after all this is said and done, that not only will your parents know peace, but that you do too… knowing that you did the right thing…. at least this time :)
Barb… I hope you enjoyed my recollection of your parents house inpspection and you are free to share it with them if you like, I think they should know how lucky they are to have a daughter like you. I know they will be blissfully happy there.
My personal favorite thing you said yesterday was when I commented on how perfect everything was, and you said to me “this is all staged” and went about pointing out why to me. It’s interesting because the thought never would have crossed my mind…. as you know I don’t question my surroundings (haha… that’s what I keep you around for). At the end of the day though… isn’t everything staged?
I know the time coming up for you is of great significance in your life, and I don’t think I have ever seen anyone so prepared. You have nothing to worry about, the universe loves you and takes good care of you, count on that. You just take care of yourself :)
Thank you so much for taking me out to lunch and taking care of me… I needed that tremendously, and your influence is very gratifying to my soul. I’m glad I was able to share a meal with you, like everything, it’s so much more if you share it…
I love you.