Tag: family

Don’t throw away all the memories*

Ian Hunter1 Comment

his wife was complaining about all his stuff in the attic

he reluctantly decided to go through all the old boxes

stuff that had been put away for years

obviously not needed but for some reason never been discarded 

he sifted through the contents of the first small box

a tin box full of foreign coins

memories of his traveling days flooded back

places he had visited on business trips and vacations

images flashed through his mind for each coin he touched

an old watch that no longer worked

it was of no value except it belonged to his father

he wound it up and it started to tick

he could hear his father’s voice again

he missed him so much

a notebook from many years ago

containing wish lists of things to do and places to see

they had written it when first married

he read off each item slowly

pausing to recall the joys of each achieved wish

trying to remember why some never happened

bunches of keys from previous dwellings

he held a front door key tightly

remembering opening that door many years ago

seeing his young children run to greet him

they are grown now with kids of their own

a big old bulky calculator he used in college

reliving the hours he spent solving problems with that

the stressful times of exams

he could remember all those long hours of study

he did find some bits and broken pieces

and a collection of old pens and pencils

he carefully put them in a paper bag

before closing the box

he had removed less than ten percent of the contents

over dinner that night his wife cornered him asking if he had cleaned out everything in the attic as promised

he hesitated before saying he had cleared some of it from one small box

she pushed him harder wanting to know why he was keeping all that junk

he insisted that it might be a small box of stuff but it contained a lifetime of great memories

she could see he was getting upset and gave him a big hug

whispering to him softly “I am so sorry, please keep your boxes full of memories”

he replied “thanks, I did clear some space for us to make a few more memories”

Self meditate is better than self medicate

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I remember a time way back in my 30’s

Working long hours to support my family

Young kids and all the demands of home ownership

There was never enough time in the week to relax

Occasionally meeting with a friend for a drink and a chat

He listened to me babbling on about my busy life

Then he said something which shocked me to the core

You have become too boring

Your work has taken over your life completely

You try and devote the remaining time to your family

But you have hardly any down time for yourself

What do you suggest?  I asked

Take a day off and we will go fishing

I remembered fishing as a kid 

I had doubts that it was a good way for adults to pass the time

He insisted so we took a day off to go fishing

We did not catch much but it was a fun day out

Fresh air and nature all well away from the office

I went back to work refreshed the next day

Deciding to try another fishing adventure

Soon it became a weekly ritual

A necessary therapy for my busy lifestyle

Now I had a new rhythm in my life

Work/Family/Fishing

I enjoyed each one more than the old Work/Family

Strangely my performance increased too

I made better decisions at work and had more family fun times

Fishing was initially nothing more than meditation time

Then I became obsessed with being a better fisherman

Learning all about the science and technical skills of fishing

Catching a lot more fish as I applied this knowledge

As my fishing skill improved, my work and family life was more rewarding

It took me a while to figure out what was really going on in my life

Family and work was a constant stream of issues to resolve

By taking time away from them I was able to meditate

My subconscious was figuring out all the solutions while I fished

So next time you feel very stressed and looking for a better work-life balance

Hesitate before accepting the medication your doctor might offer

Put down that self medicating second drink

Don’t rush off to see an expense therapist

Buy a cheap fishing rod and self meditate 

Say it in a letter

Ian Hunter1 Comment

There is something special

About opening a letter

Not those junk sales letters

Nor those overdue bills

But a letter from a distant friend

You can see their name on the envelope

You touch the stamp they affixed

You pause to read how they addressed it

Checking the postmarked date

Wondering what they are writing about

Trying to recall your last contact

Then you open it carefully 

Using a well cherished opener

One thats been in your family a long time

Gently pulling out the letter inside

Lest anything hidden spills out

You unfold the pages

Start to read it slowly

Your mind forms each word

To the sound of their voice

You can hear them reading the letter to you

Its an old fashioned voice message

One that was recorded on paper

And sent to you in the mail

You conținue reading at a faster pace

Desperately hoping nothing is wrong

Thankfully there is only good news

You carefully put the letter back in the envelope

Smiling because your friend reached out

Not with a text or an email

They had put pen to paper just for you

You put the letter in a safe place

Knowing you can read it again later

With their voice talking in your head again

Picking up your phone to compose a text

Saying thank you for your letter

You delete it before sending

Searching for a pen and paper

You start to write a letter in reply

Filling pages with all your news, hopes and dreams

Inviting your friend to come and visit you

The ink is hardly dry as you put the stamp on

Walking quickly to the post office

Soon your letter is on its way

Your heart races each day the mail arrives

Waiting impatiently for their reply

A few weeks later their next letter arrives

This is so much more fun than emails or texts

Family reunion in the Lake District

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A family reunion in the Lake District of England

Beautiful scenery is poetry for your eyes

Wide expansive estuaries meet low rolling hills

Tidal waters disappear twice daily

Revealing vast expanses of golden sands

A feeding ground for wading birds

The Pennine mountains watching over you

Protecting this well preserved landscape

Steeped in history with houses built from stone

Quaint little villages waiting to be explored

Well kept walking paths welcoming your feet

Great British pubs offering you shelter from the rain

Have a pint with some fine English cuisine

Order a second pint with friendly banter at the bar

The pace of life is slow and to be savored

Its stopped raining at least for a while

Visit a bird sanctuary to check on migration

Rare birds occasionally stop by to peek at the ornithologists

Holiday makers come in search of tranquil scenery

This is not a destination for sun worshipping night clubbers

Its a perfect place for those seeking peace and nature

The locals here appreciate this unique environment

Quality time here with the family is precious

Enjoying the gift of every moment

Lets play ball in the park

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a boy walked down a busy city street

staying very close to his mother

clutching the ball tightly

on their way to play in the park

cars buses and trucks noisily sped by 

the boy was oblivious to the traffic

his mind was fixed on playing ball in the park

his mother took a call on her cell phone

the ball slipped from the boys hands

he stopped walking as the ball went down

it struck his foot and bounced up in an ark

the ball was heading for the road

everything went into slow motion

the boy reached out towards the ball

he was stepping towards the road

his eyes focused solely on the ball

his mother was talking on the phone

but for some reason her instincts kicked in 

she spun round and saw the ball in the air

and her son following it towards the road

she lurched towards the boy

grabbing the hood of his coat

pulling him back away from the road

they both spun round and fell in a heap

as they sat on the sidewalk 

they both watched the ball in slow motion

it bounced once in the road

then landed under the wheel of a passing truck

a loud bang signaled its total destruction

the shredded remains smashed into the road

the boy looked deep into his mothers eyes

they went shopping for a new ball