Golden Memories Part I

~ rabbitpatchdiary.com
GT
Sometime ago, in October,  I was finally able to have to remodel the only bathroom in the Old  cottage on Bonnet  Street .  It was to take about three weeks .   I decided to stay at my parents home, for after all, we still had the dreaded task of cleaning out the house.  The days were warm, when I left.  The chrysanthemums and and roses were blooming.  The confederate  rose was simply boasting .  . .   so were the trees.   
I was  industrious from the first day I  arrived .   . .determined to accomplish as much as possible, during my stay.    Internet services had been terminated  at the house, in the weeks before-and the only television used an antenna.  I would surely stay focused on the task at hand.   
Three weeks later, the house was mostly packed up.   At first, I worked with zeal, knowing my sisters would be glad that I could help in this way.    .   .but my passion was sometimes stifled by memories sparked by things like a butter dish or a hammer. 
At last the boxes were sent to their   destinations  The renovation at the rabbit patch turned out to require much more extensive work than expected. 
The neighbors visited regularly and brought food. kind words and helped in tremendous ways with  the physical work.  We laughed and cried together and my love and appreciation for them increased daily. 
When the house had been sorted out, I turned my thoughts to Thanksgiving, for it loomed just ahead.  My children and I, opted to have it in the family home -one last time.   It was unusually warm before the holiday and with the the packing up  mostly done, The boxer and I “took to the woods”.   We had encountered several visits from “Jack Frost”  after all and   so I decided to make a footpath for the grandchildren, in the small woods behind my parents.  I feel so at  home in woodlands.   
.The boxer seemed to be ailing, I noticed in those days.
Jennys’ younger daughter, my dear Brynn, had a typical virus, as did Lyla,. in  October.    A few weeks passed, and strange symptoms appeared in Brynn.  By Thanksgiving, Brynn was in a wheelchair.  Specialists were consulted and agreed that Brynn would recover, but what a harrowing time, that was!   Lyla was so worried for her sister.  On the eve of Thanksgiving we planned to get up early and prepare a special breakfast for the family.  Lyla made the biscuits!    While the bacon was cooking, We made real hot chocolate and I declare it was a wonderful morning!
After Thanksgiving, I decided to tackle  cleaning out the old smoke house, now a storage barn.  Sister Connie came with my great niece Riley the most content child, I have ever known.  Sister Connie did the heavy work as my back was just barely improving.  We left the place fairly orderly.   . .better than we found it.  Another day, both sisters came.  On that day, we cleaned out the attic in the garage.
Our parents were married for over sixty years and accumilated  a lot of things!
Christmas was approaching and  with the renovation, still in progress,   the project wasn’t close to conclusion. Therefore we gathered again at our Warren house.   I gathered cedar and pine to decorate  the house.  A dear friend and neighbor, Teresa brought me old fashion pepperment  and I used baskets of pine  cones .  Christian bought apples and oranges  .  I loved the simple charm  these ordinary things created when paired. 
Beloved neighbors were invited to suppers  several times, to show my gratitude.  After one meal they took notice of the empty Christmas tree in the living room.  They insisted on stringing lights and I could not  persuade them otherwise.  It was a happy time.  We laughed like children!  What a precious memory that night became.   I used the fruit and candy  to decorate the tree.    It really was lovely!   
The grandchildren  brought homemade gifts and what time and thought  went into  them.  I remain so touched by each one .  So much, that we all vowed to adopt this example.    It  was the most simple Christmas, I have ever had, and yet more meaningful. 
“Cash” the boxer seemed fair at Christmas.  The grand children loved on him-Ryan even made up a game and Cash cooperated to our delight. 
 After that time, I took to making bone broth with carrots and oregano (a ine antibiotic)  Cash was loving all the food I prepared.  He happily ate and all seemed well.  
The bathroom was completed in mid January.  I had been away, close to three months!  Now, I would return to the rabbitpatch where more work  surely awaited. 
Golden memories were made and lessons were learned during my stay.  I had received love from all directions and played in the woods.   I learned patience is a  valuable virtue .  I saw the sun rise and the sun set.  . .and the winter sky at night, is a thing to behold.   
When Christian picked me up to go home, it was snowing!

 

17 thoughts on “Golden Memories Part I”

  2. Well no wonder we haven’t heard a peep out of you lately..oh my goodness..re doing a bathroom is wonderful ..once it’s a done deal..Bless your heart…As for Christmas of course you all made the best of a hard time..Isn’t it a blessing to enjoy anything is simple form…By now you probably have had snow ..it missed me but that’s ok..we loose power too often as it is.. love to read you again…stay well, safe and grounded..

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  3. We lost both hubby’s parents over a 2 year period. They had a long and loving marriage. We had to clear their home to sell which was really hard.

    This year we set up our Christmas tree, and found so many of their Christmas baubles that we had saved to take their memories forward. It was so lovely.

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    1. Thank you for visiting and sharing your experience. I understand just how painful it is.Time does hea, but death remains sad to bear. I lost my dad a very short while ago-and Mama in June-so I am still in a shock of sorts. Thank you again and please come again Michele

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  4. I had been getting so worried about your prolonged silence so it’s good to know why now. You’ve had a truly busy (and harrowing) time, and yet, as always, it is the sweetness of life that shines from your memories and from your heart. I was especially touched by your line – It was the most simple Christmas, I have ever had, and yet more meaningful… This seems to have been just the Christmas last year for some people I know, myself included. I think God wanted to push into the background some types of busyness synonymous with our personal Christmases and get us to focus a little more on what really matters to Him. When there’s less of our own making taking up space in our hearts, God has more room to fill with gifts of His choice. I’m glad for the time you had these past months, but gladder for the many lessons He has written upon your soul. With a bathroom remodeled and new year waiting for your living, I hope we hear from you as often as you can, dear Michele.

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  8. It’s so good to hear from you again, Michele! Cleaning out your parent’s house must be hard, but it sounds as if you’ve also made som good memories with your family. Take care, and I hope the new year goes well for you!

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    1. Hi Jennie! How good to hear from you-It was such a long time for me. The bathroom had to be literally be rebuilt from the foundation-and there was a two week holkiday . .and supples were slow. A lot was accomplished in my life though. I had a lot of time to think, too. I am glad we are back chatting. May your new year be full of blessings! love Michele

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      1. Things happen for a reason. The delays in the bathroom fix gave you that extra time with family – a case in point! I’m glad you had that time, and a lot of time to think. Yes, so glad to be back to chatting. Best to you, Michele.

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