My nest is empty again. Our son from Montana came to visit this week. What a wonderful and relaxed visit. Even so, we got most of the windows and curtains washed and new blinds put up. It’s amazing how fresh and clean things look. I’m trying to come up with something profound to compare all the activity to but we don’t always have to come up with profound observations. Sometimes, it is good simply to enjoy being together or working together on a shared project.
There’s something bonding about working together on a shared project, a shared sense of achievement and satisfaction in a job well done. Somehow, conversation flows more easily as we work side by side. The work itself seems to inspire conversation, memories, and deeply meaningful conversations. And when the project is finished, there is such a sense of well-being, achievement, and deep connection.
Yesterday our son stayed home and cleaned up the flower beds around the house while my daughter took me to get my new glasses and to see the doctor. That old bugaboo…sleep issues. When we stopped at the grocery store, we saw a dear friend who recently moved back to Gettysburg. She is also experiencing an empty nest as her son is off to college, and her housemate is moving to Indiana to take care of his aging mother. Life is filled with challenges and opportunities. What makes them good or bad is the attitude we bring to them. We can experience so much joy in the little things in life.
The older I get, the more I appreciate the little things in life: the swish of the washing machine, dirty dishes in the sink, comfortable clothing, houseplants, breakfast and morning coffee (even if it is decaf!), and a morning walk to soak up the sun and scenery. Sometimes, I wonder how long I’ll be able to do some of these things, so each time is special. There is no guarantee that we’ll have tomorrow, so today is to be treasured.
As the reading “One Day at a Time” concludes: “It is not the experiences of today that drive men mad, it is the remorse or bitterness for something which happened yesterday and the dread of what tomorrow may bring. Let us, therefore, live one day at a time.” But having written those words that have carried me through many difficult times, I feel compelled to add that the more we can find the gifts each day brings, the more we can celebrate the little things like a cold glass of water, the more meaningful life becomes.