He had gone his way this morning and I had gone mine and now at the end of the day, he asked,
“What did you do today?”
Well, I thought, I DID start out with a long to-do list…..didn’t I?
I seem to remember it was filled with some corporate work that needed to be finished, sheets that needed to be folded, winter clothes that needed to be pulled and then vacuum packed for the summer months ahead, and 3 bedrooms that needed dusting and vacuuming, and that mirror in the hallway so needed some Windex. I know I meant to sew a few buttons buried deep in a pocket of that navy blue coat, and one of the Ohio Stars in an Eddie Bauer quilt has a tear that I was going to mend. Oh -and there were those folders that needed to be made up for tax purposes and receipts to organize but:
I was distracted by lilac buds in the front yard about to burst
and then I joined up with daughters and granddaughters and we just had to go in and check out this oh so cute Nest store in Denver (I mean, please, come on!). And when we stepped back outside, I caught one granddaughter gettin’ cozy with her new Aunt from Chile,
and then there was the distraction of my oldest daughter totin’ her sweet baby girl
and while I didn’t check anything that needed to be done off the to-do list, we were like kids in a candy store….oh wait, we WERE kids in a candy store/little coffee shop in Littleton
and we lingered a long time over frothy, whipped cups of yum-yum and female conversation.
So, what did I do today? Well I guess what I didn’t do was get caught up or mired in the busy-ness of life. What I DID do, was take a few long, slow walks window shopping, enjoyed long laughs and held onto long, lingering hugs. That’s what I did today.
So how about you? When’s the last time you had not just a morning, not just an afternoon, but dare I say, a whole day of doing nothing you were “supposed” to do? Nothing on any list. Totally out of the proverbial box. You probably remember it. Because, if I’ve learned one thing, it’s that these are the ones that remain in our hearts and stay securely but oh so softly in our memory. Don’t you agree?
I thought about his question, and in reply, I’d say I nested and soared freely through an empty nest mom’s perfect springtime day.
Indeed, despite the lack of list accomplishment, it sounds like a perfect day!
Don’t you just love those lack of list accomplishment days now and then?
Memories made are so much more importamt than to do lists. Lists can wait. Your daughter and grandbaby are adorable!! I like those kind of days. My day was very different from yours but it was also a day of great memories shared with wonderful friends both alive and dead. I just got back from the mortuary doing sweet 92 year old JACKY TIMMERON’S hair. I consider this such a privilege and honor to give the gift of beauty while helping the family and friends participate in the last rites of their so loved one,(make up,nails,perfume,plucking of the brows, dressing etc) It really helps people to heal, if they can come feel the spirit of their loved ones who I believe still lingers behind for a short time, while preparing them to see the world one more time. I feel so blessed to share this time with my friends and customers!
Wow Diane. So was this recently deceased woman a client of yours? I respect the fact that you can do that without being a little heebee-jeebeed by it. I suppose my feelings may stem from the fact that I’ve never been to the funeral of a close loved one. Bless you for helping them deal with the loss in a way that you are very talented.
yes Jacky was a dear sweet client of mine. I loved her. She shared her interesting, fun life with me & was a dynamite women who lived a great life. I will miss her stories. You are so lucky: no funerals for a loved one. When it does happen, go and spend time with them at the mortuary just talking and caring for them. It soothes the pain of the loss.
I think I can appreciate that it would help those left behind with closure. Thanks Diane.
Lucky, however, surviving the deaths of several very significant people in my life has truly made me stronger – although I know that sounds cliche’. It sure makes lists of stuff to do seem unimportant when you can spend the time with people.
So I think not just “stronger” you are, but wiser because of it.
The last day I didn’t accomplish a single “should” was when I was sick. That is sad!
I need to plan a “me” day soon! Thank you for the reminder of focusing on what is really important.
Tammy recently posted..Not Everyone Loves the 1980s!
Yes you do. My sister, who is a very busy real estate agent in Carlsbad said she reminds herself that she works very hard so that….and she fills in the blank with different “so thats.” Like, so that I can travel to Italy, or so that I can take the train to Santa Barbara with my girlfriend, so that I can have a pedicure. We need to remember the “so that” part of the equation. Yes?
I love how you spent your day and love the pictures too! It’s funny, but what I need is a day like you had planned on your to-do list. I miss my quiet house and the busy chores! But this is about to change…our son, daughter-in-law and two grandchildren found a house and will be moving out soon. I am excited for them and excited for us too. We get our empty nest back after 7 months of sacrifice (on everyone’s part). So my time is coming…time to thoroughly clean the house, plant some new things in the yard, and finally watch all of Downton Abbey. Yeah!
Old Married Lady recently posted..Old Journals
I think you’re right that combining families for a while is a sacrifice on everyone’s part. People get used to their own space and their own way of doing things. I’m sure they appreciate you taking them in though. Planting new things and Downton – both would be on my list. I have a lot of catching up to do there too.
Oh, but you did accomplish much….you tended to the bonds between the generation, you likely lowered your blood pressure, you renewed your spirit and increased your energy level. You did all sorts of things that will make you better able to tackle that to-do list on another day!
May recently posted..Mending
You are absolutely spot-on with your observations. We do the “so that” days and then we can tackle the “to do’s.”