Memories and Aging Well

Pen Pal

Backstory

Handwritten notes? In the day of briefest possible communication like tweets, texting and Instagram? Here’s the story of how that came about.

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Pen Pal – #331

“Do you think Grandma would like to be my pen pal, ” my 10-year old grandchild asked her mom. We live several hundred miles away from each other and I don’t have a chance to engage in grandmotherly things like attending her ballet classes or watching her play softball. And now, she had come up with the idea of writing to each other.

Well, we’re both on Facebook, we both have computers, we both email each other, but here she was wanting to do something more personal and to me something very precious. I agreed in a moment and we began a stream of communications that kept the postman hopping.

I bought her return labels for her envelopes with her name and address on them and the greeting, Hi Grandma! She sent me messages of one or two sentences or whole pages worth of observations and questions and endearments full of sweet 10-year old innocence.

Yes, some wound up on the refrigerator where I secretly hoped that visitors would read her charming text. Others were packed lovingly in a box to be returned to her in 10 or 20 years to reacquaint her with the young girl she once was. Perhaps by then to have a daughter of her own with whom to share.

I am so pleased to be the pen pal of this special little person.

P.S.

Well, she IS now 10 years older. No daughter to share this with yet, so I’m keeping the ribbon tied box for when that event comes along. Once scrolled to paper, her words are mine forever.

[Show #331]

I Had to Sell My House

Backstory

Why would I sell this perfect homestead? That question rolled around in my mind for months as I tried to decide what to do. The truth was, events were such that it was necessary and beneficial for me to move on. And yet . . .

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I Had to Sell my House – #530

I had to sell my house. I loved that house. It’s on the river with views of the mountains and a wonderful community where people care about each other, and help each other. I lived there for more than a decade and had set down roots. But things changed, and it was time to live elsewhere. I moved everything out and looked at the bare walls. They looked good, and had fared well.

One year I had decided to turn the restroom into a stunning oasis. I’d built in lighted glass shelves to spotlight treasures that I could change every month or so. Wallpaper set the theme, enhanced by crown molding and pewter side lamps. I had a beautiful antique mirror. The floor was laid with marble tiles and a furniture quality vanity was installed with granite top. It all blended beautifully. I so enjoyed the feeling of the small lovely space. Sliding doors to the deck were replaced with romantic French doors. Shelves were added for displaying my teapot collection.

I could see myself in every nook and cranny of the house. I had made it my own.

And now, it was passing to new hands. How would it be treated? Would the next family know joy and happiness here? Would they replace my version of beauty with things of their own?

Of course, they will. And I am so happy for them.

P.S.
Left behind brick and mortar, but not the memories. Photos, comments and late-night reminiscing all bring back visions of that lovely home and all the happy moments enjoyed there. They are mine forever.

[Show #530]

New Abnormal

Backstory

We can’t control what happens, but we can always control our reaction. I had just had a vivid example of the benefits of positivity. It inspired a message about coping with change.

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New Abnormal – #376

Most of us come into this world in perfect condition: ten fingers and toes – although I have always wondered why counting digits is so important to new parents. Anyway, we perfect beings have minds ready to learn, bodies ready to grow and perform.

Then somewhere along the way, something may happen – accident…disease…chronic illness. It could happen when you are 26…or 39…or 74.

Suddenly, things are no longer normal. All the things you could do before are no longer easy or fast. You’re slowed down. You could easily be convinced that you are sidelined. You’re not perfect anymore.

That’s when attitude becomes as important as the right treatment. You have to decide on your own personal new normal. Set new goals within your current capacity. You can sit and bemoan the loss of the old normal – or work toward improvement, but within the accepted new normal.

Learning to accept help graciously can be an important part of relearning. Those who do so often find they can again have a good life with much joy and many adventures. Maybe not as elaborate as when you first came into the world, but fine enough to say Life is Good – even in my new normal.

P.S.

Happiness is relative. Things don’t need to be perfect for you to be happy. Count your blessings and don’t fret if the list is not as long as it used to be. The point is to build on what we have today and give thanks. Always give thanks.

Show #376

Daily Miracles of Love

Backstory

I was at the height of my career. In demand. Lots of travel, awards, attention. Then I’d return to our simple, quiet farmhouse in rural Virginia. No glitz, no spotlights. He wondered if it was enough.

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Daily Miracles – #015

We were sitting on the porch, watching the early evening clouds change colors as sunset approached. He turned to me and asked, “Do you enjoy sitting here quietly just taking it all in?”

He referred to the mountains that rose from the other side of the road, the flowers and the swaying trees, the birds, twittering happily in the evening shadows.

“Sometimes I wonder if this is too staid for you,” he added.

How could I possibly express to him all it meant to sit next to him and take in the daily miracles that so often go unnoticed in our hurried world. To hear the sounds of nature instead of the ringing of the house phone, the office phone, the cell phone.

To sit here knowing this is the final destination of the day. No more need to wedge my way into the traffic and claim my share of blacktop to get me home. The most peaceful time of day when my heart sings and my hand touching his is divinely intimate. It is the essence of every love song.

“This is my favorite part,” I shared softly, tears of joy gathering in my eyes. And I believe he understood everything expressed by those few little words.

P.S.

To have career satisfaction and at home, a soft place to land. A huge blessing found by many here in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia.

[Show #15]

Youthful Sponge

Backstory

I was thinking about the various phases of life and how they come and go. Rather than considering it myself, I thought I’d discuss it with you.

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Useful Sponge – #18

What do you remember about your youth? I remember being a sponge. Soaking up everything around me, trying out different styles. In early times, the sponge soaked up someone else’s look, mannerisms, and values. I wanted to look like this movie star, or sound like that rock star.

Then do you remember coming into your own? What age was that for you? When you took control and decided for yourself how you wanted to look, sound, think, love, behave, distinctly from those around you.

That coming of age was a wonderful revelation. When you actually drop the adaptations and created yourself. Here you are, years later. Are you still that person from your early adulthood? Or have you reinvented yourself more times over the years?

If there’s anything you don’t like about what you’ve created, change it. There’s still time. Every day you live is a chance to get better; a chance to change.

Be a sponge again. Try out new habits and new looks. Take up new past-times or passions. Soak up the joy of the day and make it your own.

P.S.

The latest adventure we are considering is Road Scholar – education-infused travel for adults. We can choose from 6,500 educational tours in all 50 states and 150 countries. Wow!

[Show #18]

Peace Within

Backstory

This story was written at Christmastime – the holiday best known for giving – and receiving. I was thinking about how little I desire, to be content. I scripted this to wish the same for you.

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Peace Within – #508

I have a very special wish for you. I wish that there be peace within you today. May you feel calm and serene in your world. May you trust that you are exactly where you’re meant to be in this moment of time. Wish not for more or less. Leave the wishing for someone less fortunate than you.

Resurrect the memory of the infinite possibilities that are born of faith in yourself and others. Use the gifts you have been given. Recognize those gifts for the treasure they are and pass on the love that has been given to you.

Remember that the gifts need not be huge. They can be small and fine and pleasure one person at a time. If you are using a gift that has been conferred on you, you are doing all that the universe could possibly expect of you. And God is pleased with you.

May you be content with yourself just the way you are. Let this knowledge of who you are settle into your very center. Allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love.

What a wonderful day this can be as you follow your heart, use your gifts, and accept the opportunities you have to do something fine today and prepare for tomorrow.

P.S.

Even if this message finds you in turmoil today, take the moment to recognize the blessings in your life as well as the trials. If you can’t better your world today, add warmth and pleasure to another’s world. Help someone else to be content.

[Show #508]

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