Katrin Pensée
The Gift of Life, the Universe and Everything.
Thoughts or Pensées if you will.
Ideas, notions, beliefs and perception.
Thinking, pondering, music, cogitation.
Call them what you will but our thoughts define us.
Where do you keep your thoughts? Are they full of hope in quite clearly a time of struggle?
Do you think of your family, your friends or your neighbors?
I took a look around our neighborhood this week and thought, “I have lived here for well over 10 years and I don’t know a lot about the folks that live just a few feet from me.”. I felt a great sense of sadness and shame that I am not more involved with those around me. I do believe the last couple of years has really re-shaped our conception of friends, community and a sense of belonging. Certainly social media has been both a help and a hindrance. I have read several rants recently about how people suck. Why waste your time, etc. That gives me great sadness. While yes, there are folks who definitely are not great, there are some who are looking for a reason, a purpose to elevate their character. I recently came across a post that said, “Try not complaining for 24 hours and see how it changes your thoughts.”. This really struck me. The post brought to mind my husband’s words to me recently (well a lot recently), “Stop saying I have to go do the laundry, I have to go to the store, I have to fill in the blank. Try to replace it with “I get to go to the store, etc.”. That one single suggestion completely changed my attitude. Very soon I am going to start blogging again. My house is quiet, the kids are all grown. It’s such a strange time. I told my husband in some small ways it is almost like a death when your role changes from mom of kids to mom of adults. This year my youngest will no longer be a teen anymore. She will be turning 20. Our other five children have gone in the military, gone to college and are doing what is probably one of the hardest parts of parenting. They are going forth and living life. Sure, there are days I miss the running around like crazy people, the feral eating and wondering how my pantry will ever recover. Even the mess that kids leave. But what a gift that they are going out and living. Wow. Time flies. I used to hear church ladies say, “Don’t blink! They will be grown in an instant.”. They were right. So if you all want to hear funny stories, silly musings, music and other shenanigans please consider following my journey into the next phase of life. I will leave you all with a quote from Pascal who wrote the book Pensées which is translated “Thoughts”. He said, “Kind words don’t cost much. Yet they accomplish much.”.
Side note: I decided today to share all the little pensées that I have written to honor my dear client Ms. Anita. For many years I have worked with her at a senior living facility. I have been sending these little writings to her for about a year. She has constantly encouraged me to share with others even if in a little way. I was hesitant because I have never considered myself someone who could write. Today I learned that my 92 year old client who has been my writing critique partner and my coffee buddy fell and broke her hip. She may not make it. I am sharing for you Ms. Anita. If you are not long for this world I am so very grateful that you called me your adopted granddaughter and friend. I was glad that I came to see you last week and sang, “I Left My Heart in San Francisco ” your dearly beloved hometown. I am glad that you said, “You only make it around once honey, share it even if it’s not the best.”. Much love to you dear Anita.
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