The universe buries strange jewels deep within us all,
and then stands back to see if we can find them.
~ Elizabeth Gilbert
I think of my mama frequently as I've made my way through the new life that I have been creating for myself. How she so seemingly, effortlessly, began a new path and understanding of herself at the age of 90, when she moved to the Boston area, for her final resting.
How she reached out and made new friends and continued to learn new things. How perhaps she grew to know the artist in herself a little more deeply. How she learned new ways of being in the world through her experiences and through what came across her path, that ignited a spark in her and lit her up, like a new dawn. Until about age 95, she remained excited about life and optimistic about her days, even though, like me, she had her moments of uneasiness and doubt. To me she always seemed to be reaching for a new spice to sprinkle in her life.
And the beauty of all of this is, I got to witness it all, like a primer, for what would soon follow for me, after her passing.
Frequently during her last few years, I would ask her what the secret is. Many of her responses here were after the deep dementia had begun to settle in:
Mom what’s the secret?
Being good to other people and being careful about how you treat them.
Mom what’s the secret?
Be thankful for what you have
Mom what’s the secret?
Love each other. Be friendly. Be as active as you can be.
Mom what’s the secret?
Two glasses of water to start each day.
Mom what’s the secret?
Take good care of life.
Mom what’s the secret?
Climbing Mount Marcy.
Mom what’s the secret?
You tell me.
No you tell me
Mom what’s the secret?
Good friends. Having a change with people you like to see
Mom what's the secret?
Having someone to love.
Thank you mama for inspiring me to love life through my senses even more, as the older we grew. Sight, taste, sound, smell and touch,
especially touch.
I love you dearly.
