Falling in love with today
by Elouise
How soft and easy
the pillow of yesterday
when heart, mind and body
were young and strong
filled with adventure
When did the lie creep in?
The lie that weak isn’t strong
or even beautiful in its
softening and yearning for
more time on this precious earth
Peering into the rear-view mirror
of life as I’ve known it has become
a daily gift to myself and to those
I loved and let go along the way
while holding them in my heart
I’m painfully aware that my energy for blogging has plummeted in the past several months. Not because I don’t want to show up, but because I’m still coming to terms with the ups and downs of nondiabetic peripheral neuropathy.
At the top of my daily list have been painful feet plus awkwardness when walking. A close second has been keeping pots of soup or stew ready to eat, along with cut-up veggies ready to eat raw or steamed. In addition, the weather is warming up nicely, the birds fight daily at our two birdfeeders, Smudge loves my lap, and I’m learning to walk outside with my handy-dandy hiking pole.
Bottom line: I’m learning to treat my feet as part of me—not as my enemies. They aren’t going away, and even if I live to be 100 years old, I can’t thank them enough for taking me places I never dreamed I would go. So yes, we’re on the same side now. No more glowering looks or worse. Instead, I’m learning to listen to them, thank them for letting me know enough is enough, and give them and myself the break we deserve.
I pray your day includes giving yourself the breaks you need and deserve.
Cheers from Elouise♥
© Elouise Renich Fraser, 18 May 2022
Photo from eventbrite.jpg
I agree that looking in the rear vision mirror of life can give a lot of joy but some memories also give pain. Such mixed reactions. Do we do it because we don’t want to look at the road ahead because as we get older we know the potholes will be more and the bumps harder to overcome? An interesting metaphor.
I’m going through boxes of stored memories at the moment. They’ve been boxed for many years as we have been overseas for many years. So I say to my husband -“Who is ‘Joe Smith’? “‘Don’t know’. ‘But he came to our wedding [nearly 60years ago]’.’Haven’t got clue’ – card in bin.
This opening of boxes is going to take a long time. But I am slowly decluttering. Being a hoarder is not always a wise habit to have. So decluttering and downsizing is painful.
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Hi, Robin! I can’t believe how many boxes I’ve gone through in the last decade, and how much I’ve already discarded. Sometimes I get locked into the present moment and need reminders that my life is more than what’s happening to me today. Sad memories or present health issues won’t go away. They can, however, be put into the larger context of my life. What’s ahead is unknown and unpredictable. Still, cherishing moments of past joy and beauty can be uplifting. Especially when things are difficult right now. I’m sure you’re finding some gems in the middle of all your storage boxes! 🙂 Here’s to good health for both of you, especially in today’s conflicted world.
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Take care, Elouise. Wishing you all the best!
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Thank you kindly, Herminia! 🙂
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Prayers for you and your feet. Yes, they have served you well…and now you can give them some tender loving care…and you can take rest breaks together.
(((HUGS)))
❤️🙏🙂
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Thank you for your prayers and your hugs! Yes, my feet are still quite startled when I treat them well! 🙂
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Elouise, we’re at Iona for the week (6/20/22) and tomorrow we do a long off road walk. I will think of you and D. as we walk, grateful for the blessings and lessons you continue to share.
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Blessings to both of you–already on your long walk! Thank you for your comment. Having the two of you as seminary students was one of many high points in my seminary carrier! 🙂
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