January Fifth; Best Laid Plans and Late Bloomers

Which was having none, or so I thought.

I watched my son leave for work this morning as I poured a cup of coffee. Today, I had nowhere I needed to be. I was going to sit here enjoying my coffee and relax. I would make a list of those other tree companies to call and I would watch the cats outside. Eventually I would arise and do a bit of laundry or start on another clean out of a room, but I was going nowhere. Then mom called. Now I have plans. But, I’m not complaining I’m glad to be here and able to help.

I was asked recently if I had considered going back to work where I worked for so long. Even though I had many reasons, I responded with no, I had not. I need to be here for my parents. Even as the first tree removal company gave me a price of $1500 to cut down the tree, I can’t leave my parents with no one here for them on a full time basis. Yes, there is family around, but some work full time and another is off and running taking care of their family. That leaves me and I’m grateful for the gift of being able to be here. I’ll figure out the tree thing later.

This is only part of the tree. There is a good eight to ten feet at least below this shot.

I did spend a little money on a project I hope will bring in some extra money. I’m not saying too much yet until I see if my idea works. One can hope and pray.

I believe, that the situation I am in, and the circumstances surrounding this, is to teach me how to live with minimal material things. I have all of the shirts I need. I have all the towels, the dishes, the shoes I need. My house does not need decorations, it only needs to be clean. I do not need exotic foods, just healthy. I don’t need any more books..okay yes, I do need books. While I would love to turn my yard into a pollinator paradise, the pollinators will have to make do with what grows wild. That’s probably better than what ever comes from the big box stores anyway.

Last night at the spur of the moment Jeep gathering, I spent no money. The only cost to this was time. I’m still riding the high of excitement over talking with people. Moving from group to group and speaking. I even stopped one lady who was preparing to join the parade to ask her a question. That was so not the way I usually operate. It felt different. It felt good. As if God was telling me, ‘see, you don’t need things, you need a dose of courage and people.’ Online friends are wonderful, but those in person encounters and friendships are special and priceless.

I noticed that my Christmas cactus is finally blooming. Its only a little late but its still beautiful. But it reminds me of something important. Even late blooming is still blooming and is still beautiful. I may be considered a senior citizen as I close in on sixty-five years old but I’m still breathing. As long as I live, I can grow and I can bloom. Even late, even as others have shown their talents, their personalities, their beauty long ago, that doesn’t mean it is too late for me. No matter who you are, no matter what your friends and family have done around you. Their accomplishments and beauty is theirs, and was theirs to appear as it did. Being a ‘late bloomer’ does not make you less. You are just as special, just as important, just as beautiful. When we realize that, as I realize that, life takes on a whole new meaning and adventure.