Shadows

This picture reminded me of the 'dog' days of August.    There are a lot of animals looking for a cool spot to hide out in but not this foursome as they looked for sunshine.    Don't we all . . . 'the hazy, lazy days of summer' are going by fast and it will not be long before we will be looking for a sunny spot to hang out in.   It is a way off yet as we have some lovely weather coming up, one day at a time, as it gets here, so it would 'behoove' us to take it one day as it comes and enjoy it no matter what. after all it is only weather.

Shadows . . . wonder where this road would take us as we drove along in the mists and shadows of the tall trees.   What thoughts do we congur up as we look at the quiet and the stillness as not a leaf is stirring?  Does it remind you a little of sadness or joy?  Or, do you feel a bit of wanderlust and want to get into your car and drive off to one of your favorite places?     As I look at the picture this morning, it reminds me of life, a place filled with sunshine and shadows.    I feel a little sad this morning as I visited two friends who have crossed the threshold in life when health problems become a big issue and life styles change from one of independance to dependance and it is an awakening as to how time passes without a thought that this time is really truly here.   It comes to all of us sooner or later but we are so busy living life that we don't give it much thought.  Then when it hits suddenly, although in actuality it has been a long time coming, the shock is one that awakens us to the long, and sometimes short road, to the end of our road.     

If I could pass out medals, the twosome would be first on my list.   A husband and wife who have spent some sixty years together and have been there for each other through thick and thin.    Watching them in their electric chairs maneuvering around the kitchen, she in dire straights with a spinal problem that has finally ended her freedom and he cooking her dinner.  In spite of the pain, they had laughter in their voices and the teasing and love was there for anyone to see.    They are finding their way around the health help that is available and will stay in their own home as long as they can.    They are a couple to be admired and loved and family and friends will be there for them, so I can put my sadness away and bask in their strength and sense of life as it is for the living and each day does count.   


So today, as you go about your business on the midweek hours, find time to stop and visit a friend and find out what is really going on in their lives.    Be the kind of friend who is caring.   No, you cannot solve their problems if they are ill, or old, or just pesky tempered at times, but they are still a friend . . . one who would feel your love and attention and make just one more day mean something special.   So practice being kind, gentle and loving today, all day . . . and if you are close by, stop in, I can always use a hug.   Hugs to all.

P.S. I just read in our mid week paper that the whale that was in the Kalamath River for fifty-two days died.  They are taking samples to try and find out what was wrong with it.  The baby went off to sea a month ago and has not returned so nature is still working as it should.  It mentioned the carcass would be given to the local Indian tribe.    Interesting.  I wonder what the history is.