My mother’s house is by the railroad tracks and every night the rumble and horn of the train would jerk me awake. The conductor would just lay on that horn as if he was recovering from a PTSD experience. As if he’s saying, “I know you better not be out there this time!” and just incase, he does it again!
My mom doesn’t even hear it anymore. This astounds me even though I know it happens. We get used to things. Even things blaring and loud and staring us in the face. Like friendship. Like love. Like meanness and conditioning. The list is endless.
Our daily togetherness while visiting family has been interesting. Her dealings with others is very sweet and she’s quite helpful to older ones than her. Most of all, I don’t know why I’ve been surprised by how humble she is. She tells me openly what she needs to keep working on and reminding me of past times I said something that she still tries to apply.
This is an example worth imitating! I never thought of my mother as one to give me advice, but sometimes people teach you how to be simply by how they are being.
I took a walk this morning and the air was brisk. It hit at the tips of my nose and ears but the sun was shining at the same time, and it warmed the other parts of me.
Sometimes criticism is like this, sharp right in certain spots and stinging areas like your heart, or your pride. If it’s done right and you let it soak in for the spaces that actually can benefit, it can warm you right up. As you keep walking and moving along maybe you won’t even need a jacket anymore.
If the criticism is not done right, thrown at you like accusations, well then you gotta pick at the warming pieces, few may they be, and place them there yourself. I like this beanie. I’m gonna put this one on my head. The rest can suck it! I don’t need that stupid scarf.
(Apparently, mom, I have things to work on, too. Maybe in this instance, being more like you. Swallowing my pride and admitting I have sticky parts I’m not proud of either.)
I like the times when you get to know a person past the initial good, then the annoyances, and then there’s a pocket you can sit it, with all that prior knowledge plus the gems inside. That’s their talent, skill, or just a subtle quality that lasts. Like loyalty, or kindness counted on time and again. Maybe they can really make you laugh out of a trying situation. All the hard parts just seem to a fade a bit. You say I can forgive all the rest because it’s just a beautiful painting with sharp uneven edges, and softened by the strokes of well placed color. The art is all human, and it’s kind of a masterpiece.
I have been known to jokingly say I can’t wait to be perfect because I will be amazing. Truth be told, you are already a great art piece to many people, so I imagine you will be pretty amazing yourself.
- Les’nspired
