Yesterday, amidst my multi-tasking I watched my neighbors as I slowly (absent mindedly) began to extradite my white Christmas lights from the leaves in the hedge in my front yard. This is always a sad, somber time.
They were an older couple that I saw. He, too was moving equally slow. He was pushing his wife deliberately, and carefully in a wheelchair. They were enjoying the afternoon air on this both sunny and brisk afternoon.
For some reason I thought of my own children, now adults, behind me in the house. I looked over my shoulder and thought about them anonymously going about their lives. No longer needing me- autonomous- and blindingly independent.
My future was in front of me.
What a powerful post! The imagery and precision of the writing is so compelling. I needed to read this twice to ensure I was understanding the experience - wow. Thank you for such a complex emotional post.
ReplyDeleteI have come to revere moments like these, when I feel as if I am holding time in my hands, when I am able to see it and sense it so fully. This is beautiful. These moments are treasures!
ReplyDeleteIt's funny how time, and our children's independence, sneaks up on us. My daughter is approaching a big birthday and I'm finding myself feeling nostalgic and proud... and a little bit sad.
ReplyDeleteOn the flip side of this I've noticed this year how my parents are getting older. Dad has been relying on Mom and I more after having back to back surgeries. There have been times where I've had to leave the room because it's a little hard on my heart.
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