Genuine simplicity of heart is a healing and cementing principle.
Edmund Burke
This has been one heck of a week. There has been a lot of lying around whining and moaning about being sick, and yes I do realize that was all me. I’m sick of it.
The week had brought many gifts that I have not talked about because I guess the old saying “Once a whiner always a whiner” as my Mom used to say to me. This obviously must be a true statement.
Late one night and feeling miserable, I had gotten up and went to sit in my kitchen, in the dark while once again feeling sorry for myself. I wrapped a knitted squares blanket my Mom had knitted and my sister Lizzy had pieced together around my shoulders. I was worried about my not being able to visit my Mom for the last two weeks because of this flu. Worried about the Alzheimer’s stealing my memory away from her, and worrying she would never again remember who I was. I held tight to that memory holding knitted gift of her love, feeling her love wrapped around me, I hoped it would be OK.
Sitting on a quilt that was my Dad’s, reminding me of the simple gift of memories wrapped in those seemingly simple handmade pieces, I kept thinking. The universe, and not to forget My Hero, had been listening to my constant whining this past week. Both had chosen to give me gifts in spite of that whining. A jerk back to reality should be what I call it. I finally turned to the window and then looked outside.
The quarter moon shone as bright as any light I had ever seen. Its brilliant rays slid down to the ground which was sprinkled with a new coating of lightly fallen snow, light and fluffy. That snow glistened and the sparkles danced across the cold ground, celebrating the light. The shadows created by that brilliant light mixed with the standing tall out buildings danced across the barn walls. Then that same light bounced from its roof and bounced back to the sky where the stars twinkled and danced. It was truly magnificent. There is so much to be grateful for in this world, was what I was then thinking.
Sitting there for more than an hour, I carefully pulled Mom’s knitted blanket from my shoulders, laid it gently on the arm of the chair, on top of my Dad’s old quilt and headed back to bed, smiling.
I had almost forgotten that there are a lot of people in this life, possibly at that very same moment, going through something they believe to be their “worse thing ever” and not whining. I had forgotten that there are gifts everywhere if we will only take the time to notice. Everything has a reason. I know we all may not believe that at the time, but I have to trust that there is.
After a restful night’s sleep and a more tolerable day, My Hero showed up that evening with two chocolate bars and a smile. The next morning he thought I should get out of the house after well over a week of hiding and whining.
Believing him, I finally ventured out to town, with My Hero by my side. He took me out for a lovely Valentines breakfast. With this old belief back where it should have stayed I knew there was a reason for the sickness and the slowing down of my, till that point, hectic life. I realized that whining will not cure nor change anything.
Gifts…..see what I mean? The ones bought are nice, but the ones that have always been and rediscovered, are truly the best.
Later
Amazing how your mom's knitted blanket brought about this moment of internal calmness and introspection, Buttons. What a beautiful moment :)
ReplyDeleteYou are so right about looking outside of yourself for the gifts that are always there to be rediscovered, Buttons.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad that you are starting to feel better. It's been a hard and long winter but Spring will soon spring on us .
Warm hugs,
JB
there is nothing quite like something handmade. something you can hold in your hands and envision the creator. something that will be here, long after we are gone!!!
ReplyDeletethe blanket is colorful and so beautiful!!!
Pleased to read you were feeling well enough to go out for Valentine's Day...yes old things rediscovered are wonderful...Take care.. Hugs M xox
ReplyDeletelove "celebrating the light". Perfect.
ReplyDeleteWell, I do have to say, chocolate bars make everything better!
ReplyDeleteI too have a throw that my mom crocheted. We all took one that she had made when we passed. I often times, throw it around me and squeeze it and say..."thanks for the hug mom..." It comforts me!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you're feeling a little better, Buttons. My grandparents were the persons most important to me when I was a child and young adult. As you can imagine, they passed on quite a long while ago...but you know what? They live on in my memories .
ReplyDeleteThe days are getting longer now and, although it's cold, the skies are bluer now than in November and December. I think as the weather improves so will your health. ;))
i'm hoping you're feeling stronger every day.
ReplyDeleteyour post is full of Wisdom, and I appreciate that.
ReplyDeletebut I am most taken with the paragraph, which begins with; "The quarter moon shone as bright......"
magical...
showing what a true writer, can paint, with words...
-happy sigh-
thank you!
Its not whining if you do it with a bottle of Tequila....
ReplyDelete;)
B,
DeleteI have to 2nd Janice's comment, lol.....
And I have to raise a toast back to Sandy here...
DeleteTo HEALTH! ;p
I LOVE this post. Such a great lesson here. So glad to hear you where able to get out and have a nice breakfast.
ReplyDeleteHugs~
My Happy Place
Finding comfort in the simple things and memories did the trick! I'm glad you are better. Hugs!
ReplyDeleteLove this post very much. The simplest things in life can bring much joy into ones life. Glad to hear you got out to change your mind. Being housebound for that long can give you cabin fever.
ReplyDeleteIt truly is so frustrating when you are feeling low, and can't seem to get yourself out of it. So happy to hear you were well enough to get out for Valentine's Day, and more than that, see all the gifts that surround you every day!
ReplyDeleteGlad you are feeling a bit better. Helps when you are surrounded by love.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry you haven't been well, Buttons. I send along wishes for a speedy recovery! It is no fun to feel unwell in the cold of winter. Well, actually it's no fun to feel unwell at anytime! How special to have your Hero take you out for a Valentine breakfast! I am thinking about your mother and sending her good wishes as well. xo Nellie
ReplyDeleteGlad you were feeling well enough to go out for valentines breakfast with your hero. That's a gift! :)
ReplyDeleteCheri
I'm glad you're on the mend! And I like the way your hero thinks....chocolate is a great way to cheer me up, especially if its a gift! :)
ReplyDeleteWe are allowed to do some whining and moaning at times. We must not let it take over our life. It sounds like you found your way again. It's difficult when you have lost a parent and are in the process of slowly losing another..
ReplyDeleteInto each life a little whining does come... but most of us ( like you ) simply get tired of whining and get on with life ! I am glad you're feeling better. Your Hero knows & loves you well.
ReplyDeleteyou get better soon. and no, I doubt you are always a whiner. most of us, especially us women, know when we can afford to whine a little and when we have to suck it up. there is room for both. xoxo
ReplyDeleteWise, and loving, and oh so timely. Thank you for that gift.
ReplyDeleteGlad you are starting to feel better. We all need to whine once in a while..wouldn't be human if we didn't.
ReplyDeleteand then we all have the gift of you..
ReplyDeleteGreat Reminder~ I needed this today, for I have been whining myself... :)
ReplyDeleteChocolate and homemade gifts cure almost anything.
ReplyDeleteGlad you're feeling better.
Hope you are feeling better. I think a bit of a whine and moaning is okay. Breakfast sounds like a wonderful thing to have done!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you are feeling better. At least good enough to go out for breakfast. I think it was the chocolate and the smile that did it! Of course, wrapped in homemade gifts made with love helped, too! You are an artist with words, B. Take care of yourself and have a great day!
ReplyDeleteHope you make a complete recovery! I like to whine too sometimes...but more often than not my whine turns into really cranky:)
ReplyDeleteB,
ReplyDeleteThe sweet gift of love is surrounding us daily, some day's we can't see or feel it but it's there.
I'm so happy to ready your feeling better. Give your Hero a big hug, whining is part of the healing process.
Hugs,
Sandy
What a beautiful blanket, all that love and care that has gone into it.
ReplyDeleteLynne x
I hope you get better soon and then you can go visit your mum again.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you are on the upswing! Stay warm.
ReplyDeleteWhen we're sick, it seems like we'll never feel strong and well again. Thankfully, for many of us, we do get better. Sometimes a little grousing helps speed the healing process!
ReplyDeleteSo nice to feel appreciation even when feeling low, Buttons. A nice reminder to put things in perspective. Just think, when you are better you will feel like a million in comparison! The crescent moon has been lovely, hasn't it? I have been waking up in the middle of the night just to see it. Hoping you are feeling better soon - love your patchwork blanket. xo Karen
ReplyDeleteWhat a lot of beautiful colors in this post! I'd probably whine more if there were anyone to listen to me. Since there isn't i just get grouchy with the cats. Lol
ReplyDeleteI asked a friend the other day how she was feeling. She replied that it was no use complaining as no-one listens!! We then concluded that the reason no-one listens is because they are so busy wanting to complain about their own problems.
ReplyDeleteI am not sure if the above is true but I know I grizzle about things that are not right with me and, in particular what I can no longer do because of my chronic arthritis. After having a good old whine then asked myself why I was complaining as I can still walk (more or less), see, hear, taste, talk etc., whereas so many people can't do many of those things.
I am sorry I've neglected your blog of late but I find some blogs don't show up as regularly as they once did. I didn't even know you had suffered 'flu and do hope seeing that beautiful moonlight and enjoying the comfort of the blanket and quilt that belonged to your folks, you will be well and truly on the mend.
sending you big hugs buttons!!
ReplyDeleteThey are the best gifts. That blanket is just beautiful, as you know I have one just like it from my Nanna. I hope things pick up for you soon, truly I do xxx
ReplyDeleteI think when we feel really bad physically, it's hard not to whine, and it's OK. I'm glad that your mom's blanket and your dad's quilt brought solace to you. You have reminded us of the beauty that is all around us, if we just notice it. I hope you are feeling much better now!
ReplyDelete