No One knows Your Story…

 

No One knows Your Story…

As I scrambled to get the recall on my relatively new car fixed today. Crunched for time. My oldest getting ready for tomorrow’s prom evening, whilst she emailing for her orientation schedule for UCLA. At the same time as she finishes another school-day before the nail appointment and then off to work she goes. I resume the finishing of her father’s, my husband’s foot-stone. He died just over ten months ago.

 

I got my car recall done at the dealership, had the car cleaned, filled with gas for my daughter to use. My youngest after school left to train for throwing shot put at the state sectional meet coming up in two days. I realized by mid-July we will need new face clothes. At the same time, my youngest needs information from me as she is applying for a new job. I then realize as well, we will need a remote for two of our televisions. My youngest desperately needs at least three new pair of pants.  Worse yet, she is quite particular about the feel and utility of the clothes she wears. I handed her a clothing magazine for that and said, “Go to it Babe. And tell me same size or bigger.”  I wait.

 

All the while, I know its essential for my two daughters to know I care. I care by making them drink two servings of greens in the morning before school/work, six of seven days a week. I tell them I love them every day. I make certain I verbalize those words exactly with sincerity and depth before bed and every morning. As well, the morning filled with the chores I do before both arrive at school, my chores are done. The three pets are fed, water bowls and bottles cleaned and filled. Litter boxes emptied and refreshed. I sweep, clean trash cans. I clean the bathrooms, I check the plants, I check the wash.  It all matters. Everyone and everything needs to know I love them, now as they are. Even the garden plants need to know this. After my first run of the day, I make sure our new trees, and shrubs know I care. I touch them I let them know how important they are to us. To the air we breathe. To all that surrounds us. To it all, seen or unseen, it IS relevant.

 

I remind my oldest to pick up in her room, so I can vacuum and wash the matted floor of her room. I email her future college choice. I sign up for my ‘Parent Council’ membership of the university she will be attending. I have two meetings via phone. One is with consulting for my next career. As I begin to close my over quarter century therapy business. In addition, I’m starting a new business to help widows and widowers with children. As usual in my workings of life, charity will be part of the design within the company. I’ve always been that way. Been called a fool for being that way. It works for me all the time, however.

 

Before my second run of the day, I’ve figured out how to complete a dream, a small one I had for two decades. My youngest is psyched on this new mini-adventure. I did research on it today. I did research three weeks ago that revitalized the idea. She was totally into the idea. My deceased husband didn’t think it could be done. However, I always knew it was possible. I always knew, it was worth it.  Just like he thought my teaching the kids how to fish was kind of a waste. He began to see the idea of fishing a few years ago.  He began at age sixty-one to see it’s productivity in life. And in July of 2018 he declared, “When I retire I will really get into fishing.”  I knew he would, if he had lived to that point. Unfortunately, it will be without him. We will cast and paddle on without him, but in spirit.

 

As I do spread sheets for a consultant, run an errand or two, fold laundry, make dinner and write. I know we will build, rebuild, rehash, graduate, visit, revisit, work, and play as life now passes from one generation to the next, it unfolds. And such is life.---Jody-Lynn Reicher