Wednesday, January 9, 2008

Flashes

So there is Tigger. Our three legged Dalmatian. Waiting patiently for me to give her a treat. I caught that moment with the tongue out just by accident, but I think it is a perfect Tigger classic.Today was a pretty good day and one that Jim would have loved. For January it was awesome. 65 degrees and beautiful sunset with sky blue pink clouds.

I was thinking of Jim and the things we have experienced together. I was trying to put them in some order in my head. This was as I was walking to and from lunch. Then about 4 hours later, as I was leaving work there was a memory flash and that reminded me of Jim and it was a memory I had completely forgotten till that moment.

I find myself often realizing this. Memory is an interesting thing. My friend came over to help me make some curtains for the kitchen. Those corn ones from the Simpsons, remember? Well he is a sewing person, not me, so he is asking me for this and that and I kept telling him 'duct tape, I would use duct tape'. Then suddenly I remembered Jim's sewing kit and where I last saw it. It had not been moved in at least 7 months. I ran upstairs and got it. There on the lid was some tape that said "sewing kit". It was in Jim's handwriting. I had to sit down for a minute before taking it downstairs.

The curtains are finished. Way nicer than what I would have done.

3 comments:

Laurie in Ca. said...

This is good Betsy, really good. Tigger is so cute and the tongue shot is perfect. As I was reading, I was thinking about how memory works and it seems to me that it is like a treasure hunt. The prize comes when we least expect it and it is good. It is something we can't control, but can be nuggets of blessings when we need them. I love to sew curtains and they really perk up a place. Maybe you could post a picture of them. Duct tape, you crack me up. It is the best invention since fresh air. It holds my house together!!! You know Betsy, it's posts like this one that show me that you and Jim are still a team and sometimes you are living life for the both of you like on your walk at lunch. This is good, I think. His spirit is alive and you take it with you wherever you go, even if it hurts. Love plants itself in the heart forever.
It may take a beating, but it cannot be uprooted, ever. I think this is one of the reasons among so many that grief is so unexplainable. I think about you daily and pray for you. I admire your courage so much and hope for many bright days and joy for you this year.

Love, Laurie in Ca.

Anonymous said...

Betsy,
Laurie always comments so eloquently.

Sonya and I were looking through a catalog and saw a couple of items with thoughts we thought we should say your way. (The items themselves were cheesy and not in a good way).

Death leaves a heartache
no one can heal.
Love leaves a memory
no one can steal.


If Love could have saved you, you would have lived forever.

Rach said...

What a sweet baby! I too had a three-legged dog once. What an angel he was.

I hear you on the memories, I find they hit me like flashes some times. And, I only had six years to accumulate them, not a lifetime. I'm pleased you like your new curtains and I hope today has been a wonderful day for you.

HUGS!