Two of my nephews spent the better part of a week visiting us last month. The house was full of laughter, debate, good food and drink and energy, oh, the energy! The air was electric.
After they left, the house was quiet. Riley moped around: not only had he lost his big brother the previous week, but now his “boys” were gone.
He searched the guest room high and low for them and then, finally, laid down on his bed looking so sad.
We were sad, too. At the grocery store I passed products I’d bought for the boys just the week before and felt a bit nostalgic, remembering my prep for their visit. This, I thought, is a tiny taste of what “empty nest” must feel like to parents.
Any given moment is fleeting, here and then poof! gone! Memories remain, but no matter how rich, they’re still a pale facsimile of the real thing.
Which is why it’s so important to be fully in the moment, to experience the hell out of every bit of it. To laugh and to relax into the pleasures of life. Because life can be one boatload of fun if we let it.
Depression has never been a frequent visitor to my life, but the loss of our older dog last month really did make me blue, just as blue as when I lost my parents. Grief passes in time, I know, but that grey, flat feeling can seem endless. Fortunately, the boys arrived soon after and brought sunshine and laughter into my world once again. We loved showing them the Bay area and watching their wide-eyed appreciation of everything it has to offer.
We’re lucky to have such happy and fulfilling moments. And from time to time, I need to remind myself to wring every last bit of enjoyment out of them while they’re happening, because they’re gone quickly.
Fortunately, there are still many more moments ahead to savor and enjoy.
Such a sweet post. It’s kind of what I’m going through now with my own two teens, they’re growing apart from us and it’s kind of quiet and lonely around here lately. I love how Riley was wandering around looking for them, so cute. And I especially love the quote by Milne — Piglet and Pooh always have just the right thing to share about life lessons.
I love Winnie the Pooh. Such wisdom from that silly bear! I can relate to your post too….my son was home for a few days and now he’s back in Nashville. I’m always a little blue for the next few ays until I adjust. Sorry about your beloved pet. I know this sounds very very weird, but I’ve read that they really do stay near us once they pass, even if we can’t see them. (Hope that comforts you in some way.)
Hi Lisa–well, actually, it doesn’t sound weird at all. He has appeared to me twice. Once, the night he died, after, he woke me up with a shrill, loud single bark, which is how Michael says he used to bark when he was young. A few days later he appeared in a dream in younger form, he looked at me, tossed his head and began to run, showing me how healthy he was. And when I ask Riley where Little He is, he will turn his head toward whereever. So, not weird. Maybe I’m weird1 LOL
No, you’re not weird. LOL. I have a friend who saw her dog once or twice after he passed. And two years ago I had to put my cat of 16-years to sleep because she couldn’t eat anymore and had kidney disease. A few weeks later I saw her backside scurry by my bedroom door. It was kind of freaky but I wasn’t scared.
Thank you. He was a sweet, gentle soul and we were blessed to have him. Welcome to the blog–a new post every day. Come on by often! And I’ll visit you!
Years ago…when I began to live one day at a time…not lingering on regrets from the past or worrying about the future…was when I began to walk in joy each day! Today is a gift…take it out of the box and use it completely! Go Pooh!
I heard through the grapevine a few years ago that the nephews & nieces told each other that it was fun going to “Aunt Zann’s house.” I’m sure your nephews are saying the same thing about their visit to you.
My New Years goal for 2014 is to be present in each and every moment.
I was missing so much joy thinking things like “I hate Sundays because they are the end of the weekend. I was miserable every Sunday.
No more waisting worries on stuff like that for me.
I am still so sorry about your dog. They really do become woven in our hearts.
I love that you saw him running and healthy. My husband had a similar dream about his dog.
Beautiful post and important reminder to take the time to stop and smell the roses. Life passes by too quickly to not slow down and enjoy the little things in life.
I love Winnie the Pooh and his bear wisdom. I actually have a book one of my kids bought me on the wisdom of Pooh. Life is much too short to not find something to make each day your favorite
Sorry about the loss of your dog. It is never easy to lose a treasured pet.
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Lovely. and you have your writing. SO important.
How true!
This is gorgeous posting, Carol….it touched me so…xx
Thank you, Evie!
Such a sweet post. It’s kind of what I’m going through now with my own two teens, they’re growing apart from us and it’s kind of quiet and lonely around here lately. I love how Riley was wandering around looking for them, so cute. And I especially love the quote by Milne — Piglet and Pooh always have just the right thing to share about life lessons.
Pooh rocks!
Love this! You are so right! A very dear mentor of mine taught me to try to make every day my birthday! Thanks for reminding me! BTW Pooh is my fav!
What a cool mentor!
The things we know but still keep learning over and over, right? I’ll think about this today. Thank you.
Ain’t it the truth, Susan. I relearn those lessons again and again, too. 😉
I love Winnie the Pooh. Such wisdom from that silly bear! I can relate to your post too….my son was home for a few days and now he’s back in Nashville. I’m always a little blue for the next few ays until I adjust. Sorry about your beloved pet. I know this sounds very very weird, but I’ve read that they really do stay near us once they pass, even if we can’t see them. (Hope that comforts you in some way.)
Hi Lisa–well, actually, it doesn’t sound weird at all. He has appeared to me twice. Once, the night he died, after, he woke me up with a shrill, loud single bark, which is how Michael says he used to bark when he was young. A few days later he appeared in a dream in younger form, he looked at me, tossed his head and began to run, showing me how healthy he was. And when I ask Riley where Little He is, he will turn his head toward whereever. So, not weird. Maybe I’m weird1 LOL
No, you’re not weird. LOL. I have a friend who saw her dog once or twice after he passed. And two years ago I had to put my cat of 16-years to sleep because she couldn’t eat anymore and had kidney disease. A few weeks later I saw her backside scurry by my bedroom door. It was kind of freaky but I wasn’t scared.
it’s kind of neat!
So true. And if you look, every day has its little taste of sweet! Every. Day.
You are so right!
This is so touching and oh, so, true. So sorry for the loss of your beloved dog.
Hope your depression has lifted. Love your blog.
Thank you. He was a sweet, gentle soul and we were blessed to have him. Welcome to the blog–a new post every day. Come on by often! And I’ll visit you!
Children make everything brighter and more fun. I’m sorry about the loss of your dog Carol, that is a very hard thing to go through.
Thanks, Rena.
Years ago…when I began to live one day at a time…not lingering on regrets from the past or worrying about the future…was when I began to walk in joy each day! Today is a gift…take it out of the box and use it completely! Go Pooh!
Yeah!
I heard through the grapevine a few years ago that the nephews & nieces told each other that it was fun going to “Aunt Zann’s house.” I’m sure your nephews are saying the same thing about their visit to you.
I can only hope it’s true! I get beautiful, affirming notes from them both, so it probably is.
My New Years goal for 2014 is to be present in each and every moment.
I was missing so much joy thinking things like “I hate Sundays because they are the end of the weekend. I was miserable every Sunday.
No more waisting worries on stuff like that for me.
I am still so sorry about your dog. They really do become woven in our hearts.
I love that you saw him running and healthy. My husband had a similar dream about his dog.
😉 I love it, too.
Beautiful post and important reminder to take the time to stop and smell the roses. Life passes by too quickly to not slow down and enjoy the little things in life.
Yes, very quickly!
I love Winnie the Pooh and his bear wisdom. I actually have a book one of my kids bought me on the wisdom of Pooh. Life is much too short to not find something to make each day your favorite
Sorry about the loss of your dog. It is never easy to lose a treasured pet.