I did my early week post secret browse today and again I’m compelled to post about them. The secret above is lovely in how simple, inspiring and sad it is. I don’t know what keeps this person from being free and it makes me sad to think that some people don’t take control over their destiny. Yet, I’m young, unencumbered and able to take the reigns of my freedom. Maybe this is a single parent, handicapped, mentally ill, afraid, alone, or…. Whatever the reason it makes me both thankful and comitted to living my life in an inspired manner.
I think of my grandparents when I look at this picture. Both sets of them. And how different they are. The obvious being that my mother’s parents have passed on and did so at a fairly young age suffering from cancers. But why? What plagued their bodies and caused death for both of them before they really experienced their seventies? They smoked. That’s an obvious factor I suppose. They also had money trouble and subsribed to some stringent and to me closed minded beliefs about our world. I loved them dearly. They were beautiful, sweet and kind to me. They swelled with pride at my school accomplishments and my Nanny loved to kiss me on the cheeks. To this day she’s the only one who ever got away with calling me Kris. My grandfather was quiet, but had a charming smile, on top of a handsome and regal stature. His strict exterior actions belied the soft underbelly we all knew he had. I love hearing stories about their youth and how they met. My grandmother loved the jitterbug while my grandfather preferred to stand one foot propped on his polished car, but that didn’t stop Nanny from dancing with other boys and ruffling Poppy’s feathers. They were wonderful.
My father’s parents are still alive and “free”. They are the elderly people I see in this photo. They have lived their lives simply, respectful of the world around them, but taking full advantage of what they could. They are Quakers, teachers, Audobon Society members, volunteers, travelers, rights advocates and so much more to so many people. I have never been able to totally grasp the extent of their experiences and I find there are more stories every year to absorb. Now in their 80s they’ve retired but are really enjoying every moment they have in this world. My grandfather is still active in the fire company and Quaker School community, while my grandmother is an artful quilter/ist with a book club, lunch club and varoius other lovely ladies and friends she spends time with. They are remarkable people with open warm spirits. They are wonderful.
And Karma has shined on me in so many ways bestowing me with a wonderful life filled with wonderful people. My parents, the rest of my family, Drew who is amazing and wonderful and the people we have met here in Colorado that have offered their hands and hearts openly to help us in so many ways. I’ve met artists who exchange their knowledge for my desire to learn, friends who offer their experiences here in Denver and the surrounding areas, coworkers with advice, support and oppootunities, strangers who are kind and say hello. Today Drew and I were thinking about how thankful we are for these wonderful people and how much they contribute to our every day lives. We would not be so successful here in Denver without the support of all you wonderful people. Thank you for your wonderfulness 🙂
And this final picture is an ode to something Drew and I talk about and I think it fits this post. Memory is a funny thing. And I think we all take our liberties with it. I don’t really know exactly how my grandparents met. I just know what I remember someone telling me once and how I retell it might not be exact…. but isn’t that the beauty of story telling and how life lends itself to creative recollection?
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