Joy and Pain
I have met many people since opening for business in 2015 and although I have enjoyed the company of all of them there are a few who have made a lasting impression. I may not remember their names, or when I met them, or where they were from, or what they do for a living, but I do remember them for the spirit that surrounded them. Some with an abundance of joy and some with an abundance of pain.
These spirits seemed to be at peace with life, not concerned with the minutia of living but instead loving and holding on to each moment of life, due to the immense joy of living it or because of the immense pain of losing it. They embrace every sunrise, every minute of every day, every chance to connect with others as something to be treasured. Because of these connections I have been blessed with the time that these people have spent with me and look forward to meeting many more of them.
Similarly, a friend of mine who has made the tough decision to move on with her life after the sudden death of her husband embraces the moments of life and connections to others. Although it might seem that this has nothing to do with operating a B&B, to me, it really does. People are what make life what it is and the people I have met remind me of how wonderful life can be.
The following paragraphs are Pam’s words. She is one of those spirits that is at peace with life, a place where we should all be so lucky to be.
Because It’s Time
Because it’s time…
Last year I shut down my little chicken farm, gave away the chickens, and all things chicken related. Got rid of the coops, and electric fence . Gave most of it away…Because it was time.
I sold Papa’s truck a few weeks ago, and bought a much needed bed…Because it was time.
And now I’m about to embark on a big transition, take a leap of faith. Some life events are just inevitable. It’s about the timing.
Come spring it will be two years since Jim suddenly up and departed his earthly existence , taking on the role of my guardian angel, and hanging out with me in a different form . We moved back here 13 years ago built a beautiful life together , and created a warm, lovely home. The walls were filled with the kids laughter, the woods were full of the wonders seen through childhoods eyes. The pond was alive with fish, and the deck chairs were always full. Jim maintained everything meticulously, and it was beautiful and peaceful . We planted trees with the girls that were mere twigs, now they house the birds and shade the deck.
We found a church family, made lasting friends, Jim learned guitar and found a music family. I raised chickens. We carved out a niche in our community and We were happy, our life was full. Then unannounced, death descended, right in the midst of our joy, the fulfillment of our togetherness…he left me. Because it was Jim’s time.
The kids grew up, friends moved away, the chickens moved around the corner, the guitars went silent, and I am growing older. Not bad things…just things that are. I love my home, the home we had together. Most of all I will miss the view from my kitchen window. Walking out into my kitchen in the morning, every morning, stepping out onto the deck, looking out across pond into the woods, splendor. I will never forget, never stop being grateful for the life we had, and the way we were led.
Life is seasons, transformations and transitions . We emerge from many cocoons, right up to the last one, and when we emerge, we fly.
I’m going to mosie on down the road a ways, and start a new beginning….Because it’s time.
