Monday, April 4, 2016
WHEN CHILDHOOD IS FADING AWAY
The last few days I have felt as if my childhood is fading away. For the first 9 1/2 years of my life I lived here in Lexington next door to the Fleming family.
Mr. Fleming was like my second father. As my own father was away much of the time travelling for his job, Mr. Fleming was there to step in. He was one of the kindest men I have ever known.
When I was nine, Mr. Fleming was killed in a terrible car accident. I remember feeling as if I would never understand why. I remember my grandmother soothing me and saying that when God goes into the garden he always picks the the most beautiful flower.
Our families had been so close. We were living the American dream of the 1950's. We had a neighborhood filled with children who played together and our two families were like one family.
Six months after the accident my father received a big promotion and we moved to Canada. Our families remained close, even after the move. We visited them in Kentucky and they visited us in Canada.
Saturday We got the terrible news that Ike, who was a year older than me, had passed away from a brain tumor. Like his father, Ike was always kind to me. As a child he was the first boy I ever danced with and as an adult he helped me a couple of times in his role as an attorney. He would never charge me, as he still felt like I was family.
I felt a thread of my childhood fade away.
Yesterday I drove by our old childhood homes, and as I approached, I saw that the tree in front of my old house, the tree my father planted more than sixty years ago, had been uprooted the day before in a wind storm.
It was yet another piece of my childhood fading away.
My thoughts were troubled, and I wondered why this was happening.
Then I remembered what my grandmother had told me so many years ago, and I knew that I had to change my thoughts to positive ones.
Ike is now celebrating with his mother and father in Heaven.
Maybe the family who lives in my old home will replace that old tree with a new tree, a tree to bring them memories.
Today I will be spending the day attending Ike's funeral. It will be my turn to comfort his brother, sister, wife and children. It will be a time of sadness, but it will also be a time for remembering.
Ike's wife told my sister on Saturday that Ike spent his last hours talking about his childhood with my family. I am glad that his memories were as happy as mine.
Our childhoods may fade away, but the memories are always with us and it is the present where we must live and be happy.
Mr. Fleming was like my second father. As my own father was away much of the time travelling for his job, Mr. Fleming was there to step in. He was one of the kindest men I have ever known.
When I was nine, Mr. Fleming was killed in a terrible car accident. I remember feeling as if I would never understand why. I remember my grandmother soothing me and saying that when God goes into the garden he always picks the the most beautiful flower.
Our families had been so close. We were living the American dream of the 1950's. We had a neighborhood filled with children who played together and our two families were like one family.
Six months after the accident my father received a big promotion and we moved to Canada. Our families remained close, even after the move. We visited them in Kentucky and they visited us in Canada.
Saturday We got the terrible news that Ike, who was a year older than me, had passed away from a brain tumor. Like his father, Ike was always kind to me. As a child he was the first boy I ever danced with and as an adult he helped me a couple of times in his role as an attorney. He would never charge me, as he still felt like I was family.
I felt a thread of my childhood fade away.
Yesterday I drove by our old childhood homes, and as I approached, I saw that the tree in front of my old house, the tree my father planted more than sixty years ago, had been uprooted the day before in a wind storm.
It was yet another piece of my childhood fading away.
My thoughts were troubled, and I wondered why this was happening.
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| source |
Ike is now celebrating with his mother and father in Heaven.
Maybe the family who lives in my old home will replace that old tree with a new tree, a tree to bring them memories.
Today I will be spending the day attending Ike's funeral. It will be my turn to comfort his brother, sister, wife and children. It will be a time of sadness, but it will also be a time for remembering.
Ike's wife told my sister on Saturday that Ike spent his last hours talking about his childhood with my family. I am glad that his memories were as happy as mine.
Our childhoods may fade away, but the memories are always with us and it is the present where we must live and be happy.
Wednesday, March 16, 2016
LEARNING TO FORGIVE
Learning to forgive someone, especially when they aren't sorry, can be one of the hardest things in the world. I know it is for me.
As we go through life, we are wronged by so many people in so many ways. Some of those people are people we have trusted and loved. Some of the wrongs are slight, while others are major.
No matter the relationship of the person, or the degree of the slight, how do we learn to forgive them when they just don't feel sorry for what they have done, and when we want to hold on to the hurt.
Doing it for ourselves is the most important part of the forgiveness process. Because who we are hurting is us, not them.
When someone tells me I "HAVE" to forgive them, I immediately get my back up and don't want to do it. I am a bit stubborn that way. What I have learned to realize is that no, I don't have to, instead I can choose to. I can choose to love myself enough to let it go.
That is what I am working on right now. I am working on being kind to myself through the forgiveness of others.
How about you? Do you have a hard time forgiving?
As we go through life, we are wronged by so many people in so many ways. Some of those people are people we have trusted and loved. Some of the wrongs are slight, while others are major.
No matter the relationship of the person, or the degree of the slight, how do we learn to forgive them when they just don't feel sorry for what they have done, and when we want to hold on to the hurt.
Doing it for ourselves is the most important part of the forgiveness process. Because who we are hurting is us, not them.
When someone tells me I "HAVE" to forgive them, I immediately get my back up and don't want to do it. I am a bit stubborn that way. What I have learned to realize is that no, I don't have to, instead I can choose to. I can choose to love myself enough to let it go.
That is what I am working on right now. I am working on being kind to myself through the forgiveness of others.
How about you? Do you have a hard time forgiving?
Friday, March 11, 2016
SPRING-ING
I have been struck down with a fever this week. Spring fever to be exact. Balmy days, singing birds, and blossoming trees and flowers have been calling my name.
There is something about seeing daffodils blooming that lifts me out of whatever winter funk I have been in.
Their cheery yellow faces tell me that yes, there may be cool weather ahead (after all it isn't officially spring yet), but we will not go back to those dark days of January and February.
There is a spring in my step as I am finding new blossoms every day.
They are literally bursting out everywhere.
What could be better than looking up at a spring sky through a tree bursting with pink blossoms.
Even Sammy, the usually shy neighborhood feral cat, came out to tell me how glad he is that spring is here.
Yep, I've definitely got it bad. I'm calling this new way of life spring-ing.
There is something about seeing daffodils blooming that lifts me out of whatever winter funk I have been in.
Their cheery yellow faces tell me that yes, there may be cool weather ahead (after all it isn't officially spring yet), but we will not go back to those dark days of January and February.
There is a spring in my step as I am finding new blossoms every day.
They are literally bursting out everywhere.
What could be better than looking up at a spring sky through a tree bursting with pink blossoms.
Even Sammy, the usually shy neighborhood feral cat, came out to tell me how glad he is that spring is here.
Yep, I've definitely got it bad. I'm calling this new way of life spring-ing.
Monday, March 7, 2016
OUT WITH THE NEW, IN WITH THE OLD
It seems like only yesterday that I was gleefully buying a new fall and winter wardrobe. It had been a while since I had splurged like that, but the legging, jeggings, sweaters, and boots were calling my name.
Now, I am ready to fold those babies up and stash them in a place that I can't see.
March is here, and with it has come a forecast for much warmer temps. I am definitely not one to look a warm weather gift horse in the mouth, so I will be pulling out some cotton pants and tops.
I'm not sure my budget stretches to a new spring and summer wardrobe, so I will have to see what I have from last year.
This changing of the seasons from winter to spring has always excited me and this year is no exception.
I plan to enjoy every bit of warm weather, so if you are looking for me I will be sitting on the patio, taking long walks, enjoying the flowers, and hitting the yard sales. But first I will be diving into my drawers to pull out those comfortable old warm weather clothes.
What do you look forward to each spring?
Now, I am ready to fold those babies up and stash them in a place that I can't see.
I'm not sure my budget stretches to a new spring and summer wardrobe, so I will have to see what I have from last year.
This changing of the seasons from winter to spring has always excited me and this year is no exception.
I plan to enjoy every bit of warm weather, so if you are looking for me I will be sitting on the patio, taking long walks, enjoying the flowers, and hitting the yard sales. But first I will be diving into my drawers to pull out those comfortable old warm weather clothes.
What do you look forward to each spring?
Monday, February 22, 2016
SPRING GLORIOUS SPRING
No, there hasn't been a time warp, but on Saturday for one glorious day it felt like there had been.
The sun was shining, the birds were singing, and the temperature hovered around 72 degrees in the afternoon.
PERFECTION!!!
How wonderful it was to toss boots into the coat closet, snub my nose at a jacket, and head out into pure bliss.
Kids were out skateboarding and playing basketball in their shorts and tee shirts, and adults were riding around in convertibles with the tops down.
It's amazing how a rise in the temperature accompanied by sunshine can lift your spirits.
Yes, this week will see a return to some winter weather, but for one wonderful day it was spring glorious spring.
March is just around the corner. I don't know about you, but I can't wait.
How is the weather in your neck of the woods?
The sun was shining, the birds were singing, and the temperature hovered around 72 degrees in the afternoon.
PERFECTION!!!
How wonderful it was to toss boots into the coat closet, snub my nose at a jacket, and head out into pure bliss.
Kids were out skateboarding and playing basketball in their shorts and tee shirts, and adults were riding around in convertibles with the tops down.
It's amazing how a rise in the temperature accompanied by sunshine can lift your spirits.
Yes, this week will see a return to some winter weather, but for one wonderful day it was spring glorious spring.
March is just around the corner. I don't know about you, but I can't wait.
How is the weather in your neck of the woods?
Monday, February 8, 2016
WHAT WOMEN WANT IS THEIR OWN SMALL SPACE HOME
I have talked with, listened to, and read about how many older women are searching for a way to afford their own home.
For many of us, over the age of 55, owning a home seems out of reach.
There is also a severe shortage of affordable rentals for older women. There are subsidized apartments for those who are over 62, but the waiting lists are long, and while I see news pop up constantly about senior apartments that are being built, those apartments are financially out of the reach of many of the women who are baby boomers. Also, they don't help women who are between the ages of 55 and 61.
I love the tiny house movement. I have reached an age where I just don't need all of the things I have had in the past, but I have found that most of the small space homes have lofts, which I know I will not want to climb up to as I age, or are still very pricey. I am hoping that there will be more floor plans that will accommodate the needs of older women.
I recently came across these tiny houses that are being built in Serenbe in Georgia.
Serenbe is an upscale community not far from Atlanta that focuses on well being. I have visited there a couple of times and love it.
Architecture students at Rural Studio, at Auburn University, wanted to design homes that someone living below the poverty line could afford, that anyone would want, and that would provide a living wage for the construction workers.
The materials for each of these houses cost just $14,000. The actual houses cost $20,000. Although these houses are prototypes, they are working on how to get them out into the marketplace.
I think these are wonderful and can see them having a wide appeal for older women. You can read more about them here.
I would love to see small communities of these houses, for women, where there are communal gardens and a sense of community. Communities where women can be proud of their homes. Communities where friendships are formed.
What are your feelings on these small homes? Can you see yourself living in one?
Photo one courtesy of: Wind River Tiny Homes
Photo two courtesy of: Creative Cottages
Photo three courtesy of : Fast Company
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| This is adorable |
There is also a severe shortage of affordable rentals for older women. There are subsidized apartments for those who are over 62, but the waiting lists are long, and while I see news pop up constantly about senior apartments that are being built, those apartments are financially out of the reach of many of the women who are baby boomers. Also, they don't help women who are between the ages of 55 and 61.
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| Yes please. I love this. |
I recently came across these tiny houses that are being built in Serenbe in Georgia.
 |
| Love the screened porch |
Architecture students at Rural Studio, at Auburn University, wanted to design homes that someone living below the poverty line could afford, that anyone would want, and that would provide a living wage for the construction workers.
The materials for each of these houses cost just $14,000. The actual houses cost $20,000. Although these houses are prototypes, they are working on how to get them out into the marketplace.
I think these are wonderful and can see them having a wide appeal for older women. You can read more about them here.
I would love to see small communities of these houses, for women, where there are communal gardens and a sense of community. Communities where women can be proud of their homes. Communities where friendships are formed.
What are your feelings on these small homes? Can you see yourself living in one?
Photo one courtesy of: Wind River Tiny Homes
Photo two courtesy of: Creative Cottages
Photo three courtesy of : Fast Company
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