Home Again
When something is lost, I try to find the gain
Dear Readers,
It’s been on my mind to tell you that Postcards has not been lost in the mail. The truth is, I’ve been at a loss for words.
August has been a time of great change for us, leaving our mountain house for a house in town. Here, we hope for a future closer to friends and the library and grocery store, and for a better chance at matching our time of life to a new way of life.
As of about two weeks ago, the important things are in place again. Reading chairs and lamps are in every room but the kitchen and bathrooms. Serious bookshelves in two rooms barely contain our large library, despite several trips to the sale-books donations table at the public library.
In my new workroom with its large desk, open closet, and shelves, I have the full moving boxes down to three now, all labeled Miscellaneous. The things on my desk are arranged neatly, even though they got there mostly by chance, which is a bit unsettling for a super-organized person like me.
A few shelves sit pleasantly empty, but I have to tell you it’s taken a lot of psychic energy to weed out art supplies, papers and old, worn-out intentions. And there’s still a long way to go with this task.
As we downsize, a melancholy word in itself, I’ve been working out what to do with the deep sadness of loss. In these moments, in order to recover balance, something must also be found.
Right now I’m looking at a shelf to my left, at a shoebox labeled Kids Stamp Kits and Sticker Maker. I thought about this the other day. The truth is, the time for our family art parties is over. Now the contents of this box belong to other children. My job is to find them and deliver the box to an after-school program.
The other part of this job is to recognize which things still spark creative curiosity — for example, the clippings in that large box labeled Collage Papers; the idea of a sundress in there with the Sewing Fabric.
Some of the things you bring find their own new places. It’s good being in town, taking a walk and suddenly meeting a friend you haven’t seen for years. And the meeting we’re going to this evening won’t require a long drive home in the dark.
The moonflowers are still with us. Now it’s time to get busy again.
Bless you and your new home, dear Deda.
I believe any place you and Sam are will become a bit of heaven!