My
sister-in-law Dinah used to say, “The hurriered I go, the behinder I get.” I
often think of this quote. I’m always in a hurry to check off the items on my
to-do list. I’m in such a hurry that (as scary as it is) the to-do list doesn’t
always make it to paper.
My
volunteer life has kicked back in full force. Unfortunately, the yard didn’t
get that memo so we’ve been mowing a few days after each shower when the lawn
is dry enough. At first, my mower needed a new battery, then Harold’s mower
broke down.
After a
hot, sweaty time outdoors, I went to check on my flowerbed at the front of the
house. I walked around to the garage and both doors were down. I really didn’t
think Harold would lock me out on purpose just to prove that I shouldn’t go
outside without my cell phone as he constantly nags me to do.
I went
around to the front door. The doorbell should get his attention, but the
doorbell has been broken for quite some time. I knocked knowing that he
couldn’t hear me, but the dog would. Sure enough, she got her “company coming”
bark going and eventually Harold came to unlock the door. What nerve. He chewed
me out for being locked out without my phone.
After
several days of clicking items off my calendar—Thursday happened. First, a Zoom meeting with our Walk to End Alzheimer’s committee. Check. After a half-hour, I
had to leave that call for a conference call with my Alzheimer’s advocacy
group. During the call, I mentioned the futility of trying to contact my
congresswoman for a district meeting before the Advocacy Forum. Jerry told me
he had a contact and would try to set up a meeting. Check.
As soon
as I ended that call, I drove to town for a visitation for a neighbor. Outside
the funeral home several veterans solemnly held American flags. I wasn’t sure I
was going to stay for the funeral until I looked at the program and saw the
song choices. I knew this wasn’t going to be an ordinary funeral when I saw the
songs were “House of the Rising Sun” by the Animals and “What a Wonderful
World” by Louis Armstrong.
Gene
was a Vietnam veteran with two Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star. He also enjoyed
Mountain Man re-enactments and working on a forge. He was dressed in his
mountain man clothes and several of his friends showed up in their outfits. A
few of his friends shared amusing stories and fond memories of Gene. One
recited a Native American prayer. At the end of the service, the veterans filed
down the aisle and saluted. It was a touching, unique, and personal send off.
After
the funeral, I returned home. My husband told me he couldn’t get hold of anyone
at the congresswoman’s office. Foolish me, I thought he was trying to get in
touch with her office for me. Instead, he was calling about another matter.
While we ate a sandwich, his cell rang and I saw the number of her office. He
chatted with Steve about his issue and I motion frantically for him to not hang
up. Harold handed the phone to me and I told Steve who I was. “I just talked to
Jerry,” he said. I proceeded to go over the Alzheimer’s Association federal
priorities with him. Another task finished.
After
walking the dog, I headed off to my businesswomen’s club meeting. On the drive
home, I breathed a sigh of relief that I had made it through the hectic day.
After a
year’s lockdown, I wanted life to return to normal, but maybe just a little
more laidback. After all the funerals and memorials I’ve attended lately, it
makes me realize how precious life is and how being in a hurry to get things
done can interfere with life’s little pleasures.
My
mental checklist needs one more item: relax. I need to take time to smell the
flowers, pet the dog, play my uke, and visit with family. I need to slow down.
Hurrying through life is way too tiresome.
Copyright
© May 2021 by L.S. Fisher
http://earlyonset.blogspot.com
#ENDALZ
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