I didn’t say anything about LOVE on the 14th because it’s been done to death, and there are people who rightly dread hearing about it (those people can thank me later, preferably with salted caramel something). Kim and I made a pact to forego the hearts & flowers hoo-ha altogether and it was perfect – love, peace, and happiness rolled down like waters, and all was well. No big deal. Another good day, all in what you make of it.
We can talk about all kinds of love, not just the romantic kind that we always think we want and then sometimes don’t know quite what to do with after we get it, amirite? Now that I’ve gotten used to some of the realities, I do love getting older, for the reasons Ms. Erickson mentions. Accepting the facts doesn’t necessarily mean loving them, though – my favorite memory from childhood is that my back didn’t hurt.
A deepening understanding has been the sweetest gift of the passing years and the events they’ve held. I’ve been in the middle of more than one critical incident, positive or negative, and had a swash of clarity engulf me and leave me changed. I live for those times.
In order to weave stories, it’s VITAL to see how things connect, to understand something of how life really works, and that requires time and perspective. Integrating the lessons…applying them…the weaver designs the tapestry…and each person reads according to his or her heart, because beauty does indeed “reveal itself in thousands of forms.”
I write ’em, I don’t explain ’em, and I stopped apologizing a few years ago. You probably should, too.
Playing for Time 
Feb 25, 2019 @ 05:36:02
Learning to accept the hidden person you really are, is one of the hardest lessons age teaches us.
Learning to live with who you are is salutary but imperative if you are to achieve some peace in your old age – always supposing you are fortunate enough to reach those three or fourscore years plus.
It doesn’t stop me wishing I could have been a little more receptive to the feelings of those around me in those green and long ago days; it would have made me a lot kinder, and wiser, but however late, self- knowledge and the pursuit of education (knowing it’s never too late to learn) are the key to fulfillment.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Feb 25, 2019 @ 07:46:18
Our youth and green-ness by very nature make us so prideful and hard to reach, just when we need it most. I owe an unspeakable debt to the women a generation or two older than I who didn’t hold my rash stupidity against me, but enfolded me and gave freely of their wisdom and grace. It’s been a gift I can’t even find words for. For instance, I cannot tell you what it means to write from my heart and then find that you’ve added your wisdom and caring, imparting weight to my words that they wouldn’t carry otherwise. I’m truly thankful for your friendship. And I love your “name tweak,” sister.
LikeLike