Serendipity

Lost and acquired possessions are part of our lives.  Lisa Tracy has written a book called  Objects of Our Affection: Uncovering My Family’s  Past, One Chair, Pistol, and Pickle Fork at a Time.   Letters, documents and furniture were part of the family being dismembered, altered, separated from the whole not because they are useless but only because they don’t fit into the new owner’s lives.    Each piece tells their part of the family’s story or folklore, memorates or anecdotes that jog  memories. 

It is difficult, draining to see what was endeared be put up for sale or donated to any place that would want old stuff, possessions of a lifetime.  As Tracy states, “Life spins faster and faster”, we cling to memories and artifacts as flotsam hoping to hold on to their presence for just a little longer.  As time goes on the relevance of a chair, picture or pistol dims, separation can continue.

We keep things for comfort and stability for as long as they are needed.  As family we appreciate the provenance more than any stranger looking for something to add to their collections.  Separation of memories happen, it’s traumatic, sad, and liberating at the same time.   Everyting can not be kept,  space, clutter.

Lisa Tracy believes her family items speak to her in her dreams: “How could you do this to us?  they say  He brought us home.  You loved us.  We were always together.  Always.  How could you separate us?”  You have to ask yourself the same question and yet it must be done.  Finda good home for them, that’s your mission.

Lisa Tracy settles for a simple family possession holding the memories of her parents, a kitchen saltshaker.  As she walks through her parent’s house, she scatters the essence of life about the house as an ephemeral thread connecting her to her mother and father,  bringing closure in a ceremony, holding memories of the nooks and crannies of her life..

Recently a friend’s house was burned to a shell, her separation was more pronounced very quickly as she sat with neighbors watching her collection go to ashes.  She too will walk through the house feeling the memories in those ashes.  Of course life goes on, there will be more possessions making more memories.  Hopefully she finds her “kitchen saltshaker” to pull all together as she starts a new.

A friend sent thoughts of selves, pages of thoughts.  We are a self, made up of the experiences we have had through our years of interacting with other selves.  The friend mentioned attributes of selves, and the greed often displayed.  A human trait more often found than not.  We stand on the shoulders of those that have gone before us, enriched by their experiences and the knowledge passed on.  Hold on to all that has been given.  Also, we are because of the time we journey in, making decisions on the events that happen as we have to choose which way to go or what to do.  Just doing something is the important part of being alive.  What we do is what we are.  Hoping that the choice will benefit others, making the community stronger and more pleasant, is an outreach, making a positive print .

So often procrastination, not acting fast enough for others on the path brings change.  Disappointment, anxiety and frustration takes place, and the self turns back towards it self.  Retreating to the sounds of the personal headphones.   The self takes over.  A natural reaction, or  instead of being self centered, reaching out to others, being part of other lives is more rewarding.  That takes self energy and a risk. 

Listen for the windchimes of each other, spreading notes of hope and joy.  The friend that sent all the pages of thoughts is older, has experienced much more than others.  His wisdom talks of the necessity of love and acceptance, not being disappointed in others.  Enjoy the journey.  So be it, stay in touch, think good thoughts, do good things, be content, listen for the wind chimes around you.

Somehow winter merged into Spring that quickly brought on Summer temperatures.  We have had severe tree damage in the mountains.  To see the trees slashed, tops missing, limbs drawn or tops wedged into their neighbors is saddening, and yet today renewing is the leafing out with the promise of tomorrow.

It’s now April, the memory of the snow and ice are distant.  The fields are green, the critters are visible again.  Who will move into our bird houses?  It is always a joy coming back to the mountains.

There are 1440 minutes in every day, finding 30 of them for physical activity should be easy.    At Lowes in Pinehurst, they were selling a bag of pine cones for 50 cents, or you could spend your 30 minutes picking up free pine cones that are everywhere.  Accept gifts from experiences.  Live in grace and gratitude, stay positive.  Have enough to spare and enough to share,   Express yourself with joy, smile easily and laugh often.

Time out of real time, a place suspended, ephemeral,. a term from the ancient Celts.  Creativity is found in this space.  Look for the creative spirit.

Merry Christmas from the Sandhill of N.C.  The beginning of a new era of technology for us.

Merry Christmas!