Monday, August 22, 2016

It's the little things in life....

We just returned from a short car trip to the Boston area.
The above picture is indicative of one of a million small kindnesses my husband shows daily. Thank you my darling. 
This morning, as we step around suitcases, and bags to get to the kitchen and restart our daily lives, Drew got up first, made coffee, poured milk from the heavy new container into the pretty pitcher for me.

 He made coffee, went out to wash the residual poison mosquito spray (my neighbors think we need to poison the atmosphere every three weeks for 6 months a year) from our porch, and took some forms to the bank for me, all to allow me a gentler re-entry into our silent house.

It's the daily, small gestures that make up love.

On our trip we spent a day in lovely, artistic, gentle Cape Cod where I was brought to tears by the landscape. I found myself wanting to move in for a week, with my paints and notebooks.

We spent the next day immersed in American history, visiting Plymouth to see where Pilgrims made a home in an unknown land. Thanksgiving will have new meaning for me this year. We also saw the birth place of one of my favorite presidents, John  Adams. I love that he chose a strong wife, and listened to her.

The final day of our trip was spent in Newport RI, admiring architecture of America's "castles" or the "cottages" / mansions of that yachting town. We were so smitten, we bought a membership ticket so that we would return at the holidays. It's like investing in future beauty.

I had one major meltdown the final evening.
I hoped for a break from pain but it does follow you wherever you go doesn't it? One can have a diversion and that is a good balance for loss. The last day, we walked in Newport, where we went with Cole as a yearling. I think that coupled with our upcoming return to real life, sent me into tears again.

I also wonder on introspection, is my regret and second guessing at our final timing to let Cole go, a way to hold onto him.
 In a strange way.
The keening, the regret of not feeding him more, wondering if we could have done something, anything to keep him safe and comfortable...

It is the final acceptance of a sad situation...we can't always protect and keep those we love. We are human. Life has cycles. There is a limit to what we have control over. All the tears in the world won't push off the inevitable loss. I wonder how life will change once I come to acceptance, one of the stages in grief.

No matter what the loss is, a parent, a flooded out house (poor quiltswissy in Baton Rouge) or a 14 year old poodle-son, the stages of grief are the same.

I thank you all for walking the walk with me as I continue to blog about living the creative life. This is my real life, and I plan to share it here.
I have many pictures to show you involving creativity from our exploration of the Northeast. I hope you stay with me on this journey of life. love, LeeAnna

12 comments:

Preeti said...

Thinking of you, Lee Anna.
Hugs,
Preeti.

Jenny K. Lyon said...

Heap of hugs for you both.

Maria said...

Hang in there❤️... ((Hugs)) to you!

Tails Around the Ranch said...

So sweet what Drew does for you. The grieving process comes in ebb and flow waves. I know you did everything you could for Cole.
Sending 'pawsitive' healing thoughts your way as well as to your friend, Quiltswissy. Can't even imagine how to begin to deal with something like a flood natural disaster but will keep her in my thought and prayers. 💕

Joanne said...

Walking and reading/blgging along side you through life's journey!
Words are your strength!

PaintedThread said...

What a good guy. And it sounded like a nice trip!

I am sorry you're dealing with those final regrets. The what-ifs are so hard to deal with, even when you know you did the right things.

Julierose said...

Nice getaway --it is the little reminders and routines that really get to you. On the one hand you don't want to forget, and on the other you have to put them to rest in your memories...hugsx2 Julierose

MissPat said...

I know none of us can convince you that it was just Cole's time and you really couldn't have changed anything. This is part of the process of grieving and, yes, you need to keep writing about it and we will all listen. So nice that Drew is doing nice little things for you . You are doing nice little things for him, right? One day at a time.

Nancy A. Bekofske said...

It is hard and never gets easier. We have had six dogs in 44 years, and had to choose for four. Our two current girls are 11 and 14. Sigh. The pain at their loss is equal to the love shared. Hugs.

Michele McLaughlin said...

Grief is it's own journey and you just have to go the way the current takes you. I am glad you took that journey to New England. My husband and I did it years ago and really enjoyed it. I think the great line in today's post is "It's the daily small gestures that make up love." You should do a quilt with this theme or better still... host a challenge for quilts focusing on this sentence. Thanks for today's inspiration. Hugs, Mickie

Unknown said...

It always comes down to the little things. They matter the most. Take good care of your heart on this journey through grief. Sending best wishes!

Kaja said...

Take your time, LeeAnna. Grief has its own path and can't be hurried. I'm glad Drew is good at the day-to-day little things that matter!