Sunday, May 3, 2009

Keeper Things.



A Keeper
Their marriage was good, their dreams focused. Their best friends lived barely a wave away. I can see them now, Dad in trousers, work shirt and a hat; and Mom in a house dress, lawn mower in one hand, and dish-towel in the other. It was the time for fixing things: a curtain rod, the kitchen radio, screen door, the oven door, the hem in a dress. Things we keep.

It was a way of life, and sometimes it made me crazy. All that re-fixing, re-heating leftovers, renewing; I wanted just once to be wasteful. Waste meant affluence. Throwing things away meant you knew there'd always be more.

But when my mother died, and I was standing in that clear morning light in the warmth of the hospital room, I was struck with the pain of learning that sometimes there isn't any more. Sometimes, what we care about most gets all used up and goes away..never to return. So... While we have it, it's best we love it.. And care for it.. And fix it when it's broken... And heal it when it's sick.

This is true: For marriage... And old cars... And children with bad report cards... Dogs and cats with bad hips... And aging parents... And grandparents. We keep them because they are worth it, because we are worth it. Some things we keep, like a best friend that moved away or a classmate we grew up with.
There are just some things that make life important,
like people we know who are special... And so, we keep them close!

I received this from someone who thinks I am a 'keeper,' so I've sent it to the people I think of in the same way.. Now it's your turn to send this to those people that are 'keepers' in your life. Good friends are like stars... You don't always see them, but you know they are always there!
Luv ya . All who read this. Know. I love you. and so do many more. You are not alone :)
You are never alone.

6 comments:

Bill ~ {The Old Fart} said...

I remember getting this in an email oh so long ago. This is so true as once our loved ones are gone, whether parents, grand parents, siblings, kids, or even our beloved pet, we know we will only have them in our memories.

Thank you for sharing this, it was a nice reminder to tell my family and friends how I really feel.

Blessings my friend.

A Lady's Life said...

Thanks O.F.
Blessings to you as well :)

I really liked getting this in my email.
I hate throwing anything away.People, pets, old books etc...I'm a collecter and a keeper. lol I treasure and love everything I have.
I think old people need to live with family. I think children need to be kept closer to home.
Unfortunately, our kids don't feel the same way we do.
I guess they havent paid enough bills yet to make them understand and care.Youth is always running, like there is somewhere to go. lol The world is changing and we have to start pulling back on the reins or face losing it all.

A Lady's Life said...

So are you M.Z. :)

Nessa said...

Very nice reminder.

Dr.John said...

A wonderful post.

A Free Spirit Butterfly said...

I love this POST! Thank you for writing it so beautifully. My mom and I weren't that close until my husband left me in 2006. Before that, I was convinced that I didn't need a relationship w/her. When he left, I felt I had no one to turn to and there she was. Now we have a relationship that I wouldn't trade for anything is this world and I'm so thankful that I mended fences before it was too late. She's a keeper and she is stuck w/me too!

Also a friend's mom passed this week and I vowed to keep in touch w/her. We hadn't seen one another since Jr. High and through this unfortunate circumstance, I have found an old friend. She's a keeper too.

PS. YOU ARE A KEEPER TOO. I'm glad to have discovered you! Thanks Google (Smile)

Love and hugs,
China