Our 1965 family in Durango, CO
When caught in an internal flurry,
Feeling angst from unfounded worry.
Shown another side,
A gap that's so wide—
My perspective clears in a hurry.
This memory gets me every time.
I'm thinking back to November 1965,
Day after Thanksgiving.
Bob and I lived in Durango, CO with our
Three little children.
Left: 1965, Durango, CO. Bob playing in the backyard with his two sons. Right: Early 1966. Birthday bike and large trike + VW van...cool!
Fifteen people came to our house
For Thanksgiving dinner.
Menu was bountiful, traditional.
Big turkey, dressing, potatoes, gravy,
Vegetables, "sides", and pies.
That was back in the olden days
Before I finally realized that kind of gathering
Turned my brain into internal chaos.
I finally grew to realize loved ones
Sharing a pot of soup is celebration.
That 1965 day after Thanksgiving,
I went to grocery store—
Still feeling overwhelmed with needing to
Deal with Thanksgiving meal left-overs.
I stood in check-out line
Behind a child about ten-yrs-old.
Thin, and androgynous at that age.
With one item to be purchased.
Check-out clerk asked,
"What did you have for Thanksgiving dinner?"
Silence.
Child kept head-down, not making eye contact.
Clerk asked again. No response.
Once again, she asked.
Now in demanding tone.
Tone that leaves no room for choice.
Child looked up and spoke,
"Beans.”
They grabbed item and ran away.
Stunned, I thought of my
Feeling-burdened response
To having left-overs to deal with.
Clockwise from left: Lin, 26th B-day, with her 3 children. Birthday cake ...young mom. Old enough to sit up? Victim of Lin's infamous "buzz-cut."
I learned a lesson.
I try to pull it up and use it.
My "Gratitude Prism.”
(Name I made up for noticing with appreciation.)
People, experiences, bounty, connections.
Those are gifts in my life.
My friend,
You are part of my bounty.
Hugs,
Lin
