Artistic Voyage: News from MickeyLife’s Mysteries and Succumbing to ChangeThroughout my life I have always welcomed the mystery of change. You know, making new friends, visiting new places, taking a different route to a familiar destination or contemplating a move. Since my husband passed of cancer three years ago I have worked very hard to stay in the home that we bought together. The day I walked in I knew it was home. The naive little girl in me thought it would be for the rest of our lives and for Bob it was. I can’t remember anything I have fought more than leaving our beautiful home although it was much larger than one person and a canine companion would need. (Please, don’t tell Bella I referred to her as a “dog.”) Finally realizing the stress of the upkeep and the financial burden, a move was imminent.
As I sit on the deck of my new home writing this newsletter I realize how short-sighted it is to fight what we have so little control over, change. How out-of-touch with myself I had become. I am intrinsically aware, now, of how transient life is. That may seem obvious to most but for me I have been searching for a place that would feel like “home” since my father left when I was ten years old. I have lived in beautiful houses, I have a loving and supportive family but something was always missing. I’ve heard the words, “home is where the heart is” and thought I understood what those words meant. Now I feel what those words mean. “Home” is not where you live or who you are with but a place within. A place you can retreat to and feel content with who you are, where you are and with whatever life has blessed you. Caring for my husband taught me many things about me. A few of the things I learned . . . • I have more strength than I ever imagined • I can be a care giver and feel incredible love while giving • nothing lasts forever and that’s just a part of life on this planet “I have studied flowers for my paintings and I have looked at my life. The time was right to go into the garden of life to do some pruning. I am speaking kindly, praying softly and pruning back. Now I plow ahead.” This is a revised quote from Sarah Ban Breathnach, Simple Abundance. I read it over ten years ago and keep it in my kitchen to read after breakfast, a practice I had let go of about three years ago. It’s a nice way to start my day, again. I finished my spring painting entitled “And How Did You Get in Here?” This change has been a pleasant surprise and I am happier because of it. Life is a mystery . . . and what you make of it is up to you. A poem by Alfred, Lord Tennyson Little flower – but if I could understand Bella’s Insights
Happy summer Everyone! Wow, have things changed. Mom and some special friends started putting our things in boxes last month and I was not feeling very comfortable with that. Then a bunch of guys showed up and took them to what turned out to be our new home but I heard mom refer to it as, “the move from h*!!, (a place I never heard of). Boxes I miss my friends, especially Bailey. She wasn’t very happy about our leaving. Mom spent a lot of time unpacking and putting bookshelves together. Her friend Jo came and helped each week. Jo even found a book she liked. I was curious to know what our Now that we are “repotted”. Our furniture looks perfect with the new wall colors. Even mom’s art looks like she painted it for this house. Guess that’s Ta ta for now, ~Bella
Daffodil Narcissus
|
Thank you Micki for those very powerful words about change. It was very touching. And I love Bella’s contribution to the newsletter. I hope you will both be very happy in your new home. – Donna – (Strasbaugh Financial Advisory).
So nice to hear from you Donna, I appreciate you taking the time to write such a lovely comment. “Bella” has a lot of fun writing her column. 😉 Mickey
Mickey. Congrats on your new place. I know you will love it, and although I hate Academy, I love you more and will come visit!
3 years already? I remember the wonderful party up on the top of the Broadmoor…..
Ahhh yes, our wedding reception at the Broadmoor. Seems like a fairy-tale now and in many ways it was. Beautiful, beautiful memories. So glad you were there.
Mickey, I’m so grateful for your very personal newsletter article. I once read* that what we share with others that is most personal is also most universal. I think your newsletter touched something in many, many of us!
*I think this came from Carl Rogers, the influential psychologist.
Appreciate your comment and the quote. It’s true, no matter what life hands us – we are never alone. Thank you Pat.