“Big Days”, Today and Yesterday, Too

~ rabbitpatchdiary.com

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The sun has not risen over the barn just yet.  At this particular moment, the first rays of light, make the barn look as holy as any church.  As I predicted, the peach tree is full of tiny little pink promises, and a few of them have already opened.  The peach blossoms are  a very pale shade of pink.  In full bloom, a peach tree is one of my favorite sights.  Last year, the peach tree blossomed in full glory.  It lasted all of a day, as an ice storm came that night.  I vividly remember the burnt blossoms that seemed to turn to paper and were scattered like trash, with the first breeze.  In July, two peaches were on the tree.  

I have a huge pot of collards simmering already.  I still need to make potato salad and cheese biscuits-enough for twenty people.  Today is a “big day”.  Today we are officially celebrating Mamas’ birthday.  The secrets of the past few weeks, will “come to light” today.. . that is all that  can go in the diary at this moment.

Yesterday was a “big day” too.  I spent a few leisure hours with my children and Lyla. The boys played basketball, while Jenny, Kelsey and I sat on the big front porch with Lyla.  Tres and Kelsey, returned from Rome, a week ago.  Tres said he had something for me and I immediately told him, that he shouldn’t have brought anything back-It was enough for me, that he was back “safe and sound”.  He asked me to look in the console of a car, and so I expected an Italian rabbit or a piece of jewelry-but the only thing in the console was a key.  I remarked, that Kelsey had left her key in the console and also that she kept her car very clean.  Tres said it wasn’t Kelseys’ key.  It took me a second or so to comprehend and I looked at him blankly.  He said “mom, that is your key” . . . and so I cried, right there in “broad daylight” on the rabbitpatch lawn.

The car I drive now, past fields and pastures, is twenty years old.  The ignition is a little tricky and the air conditioner quit working years ago.  I have never cared about cars, other than their safety and dependability.  I know what other folks drive by the size and color of the vehicle.  Quite often, I get in the wrong car in a parking lot because of that.  Once, I had a bagger put all of my groceries in a car that wasn’t mine.  I have wondered why my key didn’t fit, in someone elses’ ignition, then looked around and ran in horror.  Tres was able to “pull this surprise  off” easily.  Later Kelsey asked, didn’t I wonder, why they drove separately-no, I didn’t-and then she said didn’t you wonder whose car that was?-again no, I knew she had a small car.  She said “but mine is black!”. (this car is champagne colored).  So, you see,  what I know about cars.  A few moments later, it dawned on me and I asked excitedly -“Oh!-does it have air condition?”  They all laughed and said , yes.

The most endearing part of the story, is not the relief of now having a better car.  I had been wondering what I would do when my “silver car” gave out.  The fact that my children consider my needs, means the world to me.  Christian, was not even “in on the act” but he teared up in the happiness, as I did.  I have not raised perfect children.  The boys have run trucks in ditches in their youth,  they have all had “traffic tickets”  and stayed out too late, before-but I declare this whole-heartedly-They are good people for me, and for the planet.  They give to strangers in need, as well as their mama.  They care about the environment-and their mamas’ old house.  They care about animals, wild and tame.  They love and care for one another-and they care about the conditions of all humans.  Brant, will not buy a pair of shoes for himself, unless he can buy a pair for someone else in need, as well.  

There are many thoughts about “success”.  We all define it as we see fit.  We also define wealth-in many ways.  As life unfolds, we redefine and hopefully, weed out our former misconceptions.  We understand, more fully,  what pure and genuine happiness is.  The authenticity of life does not “hide” and we needn’t go on some dramatic treasure hunt to search for it.  Lifes’ treasure is not for only the few that have gotten their hands on some secret map, or an ancient “key”, they fought for.  I will tell you,  most likely, that our wealth is  found on  places like the front porch or in the back yard, as we have been told, after all.   Success gathers around kitchen tables and looks like family,  good friends, or neighbors.  Happiness is not reserved for yachts and country clubs, only, but may be in a summer garden or along the edge of the woods, as well. As it turns out. of all the things to acquire in life, “The greatest of these, is love.”

37 thoughts on ““Big Days”, Today and Yesterday, Too”

  1. I had heard about the new car….So glad for you!!! Be sure to drive over on your next visit!! Loved reading your blog…Surprise!!! I hope someone in the group took pictures since there was so much technology in the group!!!

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  2. More beautiful, meaningful writing. The golden sentence for me: ‘Success gathers around kitchen tables and looks like family, good friends, or neighbors.” What nice children you have raised. I think they must be a lot like you.

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  3. Ohh Rabbit … what a truly beautiful family you have raised. Through you, I love them … and you.
    Congratulations on your new, fabulous car. Now you’re going to have to attach a note to your keys describing the car you now have – otherwise it could be a very long search in the car park after shopping when you try to recall which car you came in! LOL.

    God bless and keep you. love ~ Cobs. x

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    1. you are so right about the car! I am still abit nervous of not remembering what one it is and so am taking great notes! I am glad to hear you love us! Isnt writing just wonderful? It is like a letter to write a post. Well you are loved too sweet one! thank you so much!

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      1. Writing lets out that jumble of words which are rumbling round inside us. All we have to do is get them all lined up, in the right order (or as best order we can manage) and them get them to come out of our fingers!

        The feeling is wonderful, isn’t it, when that happens. 😀
        ❤ ~ Cobs. xxx

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  6. My dear friend, what a beautiful day for all. So thankful for the memory of your day as you celebrated “Mama Glynda” :). You are blessed. I am thankful for the times we walked in the woods by your house growing up. I love ya! 🙂

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  8. You did an amazing job raising those kids! God is so faithful isn’t He? I just keep giving big contented sighs when I read this post.
    You are a wonderful woman! I know this because you are as happy with seeing the “tiny pink promises” on the peach tree as you are about a new car. Blessings to you and your family.

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  10. I agree, our greatest wealth IS found on the front porch and in the back yard.
    I must disagree with you on one point, however.
    You have, in fact, raised perfect children.
    In this Great Cosmos, we are all perfect, even in our imperfections.

    Love,

    Paz

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  14. I am a little behind on my reading and I just realized that you had received a new car!!!! I am so, so happy for you! You do have wonderful and thoughtful children…you are obviously a mother who gives freely of your love and time for them! I admire that trait very much!

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