As time goes by. . .

It sure was nice having help and company today. John has reached the age (and strength) where he is more adept at some things than I am, no matter how hard I try. While he was here, he also found out that a person doesn't necessarily need to like zucchini in order to like zucchini bread. Ray Road's sagging flagpole has been repaired so it's worthy, once again, of displaying Old Glory. The hill in the apple orchard is freshly mowed, a small area around some tree roots has been re-sodded and some touch-up mulching is done, thanks to John. I spent some time examining the trees in the woods surrounding the yard, trying to remember which ones Bob planned on cutting, for safety reasons. I was surprised I was able to recognize some of them. I guess I shouldn't be, though, since we had many conversations about them during our routine walks around the property. "Nature walks," I called them. I still do that even though it's not the same.

Thinking about that reminds me of a discussion I participated in yesterday. It was about the discomfort we (who grieve from the loss of someone close) can sometimes sense in others when we talk about our loved one. Particularly, as time goes by. I think I understand a little of why that is but it is a bit stifling just the same and sometimes even hurtful. I realize the reactions I'm talking about are involuntary and I hope I am not insensitive toward other individuals' needs when this happens. Still, I need the fulfillment of settings where I don't have to filter Bob from conversations and by the grace of God, I have them - abundantly so, over and above that which I could possibly deserve. I am so very grateful! It's important, I think, to understand that inevitably, people we love die but the relationship does not. We continue to learn and grow and to be nurtured by the relationship with that person.