Retreat

Hi,

The weekend gave us an opportunity to have two kinds of weather.  Blazing hot temps in the San Gabriel and San Fernando Valleys, and cool weather in the Culver City area.  What a contrast.  From light cotton to thermal in one weekend.  Whew.  Meanwhile, in Chiang Rai, lots of rain continues to fall. 

The ‘Old School Friday’ song was “Be Sure My Love” by The Dubs.  Nobody got it.  You can give a listen here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yd1S_AESBdA&t=2m26s  So, on to ‘Easy Monday’ and an R&B hit from the 60s.

“I know you wanna leave me, but I refuse to let you go.  If I have to beg, plead for your sympathy I don’t mind ‘cause you mean that much to me.  __ __ __ __ __ and you know it, please don’t leave me girl (don’t you go)….”  Hint:  I’m tempted to give you big clues but that would give it away.  Five man vocal group from the motor city.

Saturday morning we watched as furniture and nicknacks were carried out of my mom’s house and loaded into a truck.  It was truly an exercise in ‘letting go’ to sit still as memories passed through the door, never to be seen again.  Some things are just things, but others have a story.  I can keep the stories for as long as I like.  

I suppose it is a quirk of human nature to feel the need to associate with someone’s ordeal.  In the case of the decline of a loved one, we are hearing everyone’s stories of what happened when (fill in the blank) was stricken by dramatic illness or accident.  There is a need to let us know that they have been ‘there’, as a form of comfort when actually, it seems to me that it’s a form of unfinished grieving.  Knowing that someone is about to tell their story makes it easier to deal with.  So ends today’s observation.

We stopped by the convalescent home after we finished working at the house.  It was a very uncomfortable time for both of us to witness the gaze that seemed to look right through us.  Things have definitely changed.  Even though we knew this would happen, it’s still a shock to see.  We take refuge in the memories.

On the brighter side of things, we said our goodbyes to Jennifer, Nowell and their dogs, grateful for their hospitality and the love.  We returned to Culver City and our cozy apartment.  Anna and Jeff made it look as if there had been no repair work done at all.  We remain grateful having them as a constant in our lives every time we return to the States.  

Today’s photo is one of the memories that marched out of the house this weekend.  Motorola called it a “Digital Personal Communicator”.  Today it’s an antique cellphone.

Have a Great Week.

               Peace,

                         Danny

“Ideally, the ultimate retreat is to 

retreat from the past and the future,

to always remain in the present.”

~Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche