The best thing about taking charge of your own health is the inner strength it gives you. Before, if I felt joyful and someone or something came along and did or said something I perceived as hurtful, I got knocked over way too easily. The happiness I was just holding in my hand, seemed to blow away like the seeds of a wish flower, except I wasn’t getting my wish.
A lot of people who know me think of me as this really strong, determined woman. My husband thinks of me as his rock. Truth be told I wilt inside at the slightest pressure. I’m kind of a wuss. I’m just really good at hiding it.
It’s different now. I have a new strength. I’m able to hold on to my own happiness. I feel strong and confident. I’ve lost a few pounds, but not really enough to notice yet, so this strength doesn’t come from looking better. I’m pretty sure the food I’ve been eating is a lot healthier than the food I used to eat, but I don’t really think that’s it either. It’s attitude. It’s knowing that I can do this. It’s a feeling that, if I hit an obstacle (and I know I’m bound to hit a few) I’ll find my way around it, over it or through it. Life can be a struggle. It can also be beautiful and joy filled. The secret is in not letting the struggle keep you from seeing the beauty and the joy.
Now when I see those wish flower seeds flying out of my hand I’m going to make a wish. Then work like hell to make that wish come true.
Legacy (Part 6)
“You can go back to your seat now,” the teacher instructs.
When he said Tom Sawyer was overrated, she knew he was someone whose opinion should be ignored. But the hurtful comment strikes deep within her seventeen year old soul. She becomes unsure of what she once knew. The writing notebook that used to bring comfort is put away. The constant ache is something she learns to live with. High School turns to college which turns to a family of her own.
***
The coyote feels a pleasant contentment with his situation. Hunger and fear are long forgotten memories. He enjoys observing life in these hills. When the familiar car approaches the old house he rises.
The girl, a woman now has come back for another visit. With baby on hip, she walks with her husband and children, the old path in the hills. He trots along at her side, and notices one of her offspring is off alone exploring, just as she had always been. When it is time to leave, it is the old couple who drive away, not the girl and her family. Now it is her children who walk together every morning, her husband who drives away at daybreak. She stays, occasionally walking her small dog through the hills. He becomes obsessed with trying to make her aware of his presence but nothing works. Even when the little white dog barked and barked at him she just laughed and asked, “What are you barking at you silly thing?”
***
She greets her children everyday when they return from school in the afternoon and her husband when he comes home in the evening. Her habit of walking with a book pressed to her nose and her dream of writing her adventures have given way to laundry, grocery shopping and PTA meetings.
Her children are growing up; the old house ages too, it is too small for their family of six. How did her mom do it with seven? They remodel. They add a room, replace pipes, wiring and get rid of the harmful asbestos in the ceiling and floor. It is a tedious process. The carpet and the old black and white linoleum flooring she had forgotten was there are removed. When the harmful adhesive is gone the family returns. Her children enter their almost finished home. She and her husband stay outside to talk to the foreman.
“Thanks, Joe. Now we can get the new carpet installed,” her husband says.
“No problem. You know my uncle laid the foundation for these houses. Take a look at the entryway before you install the carpet. It’s a pretty cool reminder of who was here first.” Joe tells them.
Friday – Exercise – 20 minutes; 1.1 miles
- Breakfast – An orange, hard boiled egg with onions and peppers 1 cup of oolong tea with honey.
- AM Snack – a stuffed grape leaf
- Lunch – rice, and more leftover veggies and tofu (all gone L)
- PM Snack – popcorn
- Dinner – Loaded salad.
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