Everyone finds their own truths along the road of widowhood. Truths I’ve discovered over the last two years hold me up like a giant walker these days. Walkers work best on a well laid path. It’s better to veer to the right than to get left. Putting one foot in front of the other, we all move forward into this beautiful world.
Yesterday, after shopping at the Walmart to the East, I took the main road back home. Many city folk have never experienced Big Sky and might be a bit scared of the open spaces. In every direction, nothing but miles of high desert plains, sage, cheat grass, and distant mountains. Not even a horse or burrow along the way, it seemed like my little town was close enough to touch. Signage told me otherwise.
18 miles from home.
Truly, it looked like I could park the car and walk. But, it took 18 minutes to drive there. A two day walk, I’d need to camp overnight if I were on foot. Sometimes, things aren’t what they seem as we look onward in life. Tasks that seem easy become complicated and take more time than we think. Chores that should be quick and painless often are just the opposite.
The other day I was questioned about the hope, faith, and love I’ve experienced with my church family. I had to stop and think for a moment. Some friendships do end up being mirages. Surely they seem to be the greatest thing in the world when shiny and new. Sometimes relationships are part of the scaffolding to help get us through until one or the other moves on. Beautiful moments in time. Other relationships weather all kinds of storms, making up the foundation of a beautiful life. It’s those that are truly golden.
As the weeks have turned into a year, the closer I get to my church family, the stronger my friendships are growing . A soft place to fall, the lives of a congregation come together to showcase every aspect of life. Babies and Grandparents are born. Children accept Christ. Young lovers marry. Funerals are held to celebrate the lives of those that continue on their journey without us. A picture complete with the richness and complexity of life. A lot can be learned by observations. Baptist on Main is a mysterious little place of love and worship. A blink of the eye and one might drive right by, never experiencing the beauty inside.
A life lesson learned early on is to be grateful for the smallest things. Every minute there is something wonderful to behold, in the the midst of something terrible. As a child, when a killing frost hit the vines, my dad immediately focused on next year’s great crop, while five little girls were comforted by his optimism. Nature doesn’t always listen to a farmer’s prayer. VST and I learned that the hard way while tending to our own vineyard.
Positivity is easier when the television is turned to the “OFF” position. Mine stays that way most days. For the last two years, I avoided most of the fear mongering about Covid-19. Funny. I had it once. The worst thing about it was that I had to stay away from any human contact for 10 days. Didn’t die. Didn’t even wish I could. Sniffles, sneezing, and a little pity party for one. How much mental turmoil does the media cause in the name of information? Oy vey. Off. Mine stays off.
Constantly, a grateful heart is the best way to contentment and happiness. Of all the personal traits I’ve learned in my 66 years, optimism has helped me through the darkest of times. Little miracles unfold every second of every day. A thankful heart is a comfort. When you think there is absolutely nothing to be thankful for, why not start with this. Our homes aren’t being bombed to smithereens. Our loved ones aren’t being shot in the street by Russian’s. It’s a beautiful spring day. Start there and more things will come if you just look around.
So much of life is governed by fear these days. Take the shot or die. Stock up or starve. Shortages are coming. Famine is near. Hand wringing at it’s best. Yet, somehow, we live to eat another day. Somehow, the supply chain crisis is repairing itself. Things are returning to a new normal. Another thing for which to give thanks.
Be thankful that you have a day to live, be it pleasant or not. At the end of the day, take inventory of things that made it good or bad. Tomorrow is a fresh slate. Change the things you can, accept the things you can’t. Try and figure out the differences, all while giving thanks for the opportunity to try again.
Today is all we have. Tend to your grateful heart. Today is full of possibilities. It’s up to you.
More tomorrow.