Gratitude Journal – Day 48 – August 17, 2104

Is it really the end???
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I read of a friend whose 10 year old son took her, his first love, on his first date. He picked her up at the front door, walked her to the car and opened her door, then paid for dinner with the gift card he won at Boy Scouts. The bond between son and mother is very special.

This morning, my son Mike picked me up for a day of junkin’, one of my favorite past times and not surprisingly one of his too. I’ve been asked what the strategy is when embarking on a day of junkin’ and it’s quite simple. Just drive and watch for the signs. Hmmm… that’s strangely parallel to life. Choose your overall plan (junkin’), drive (live) and watch for the signs (Holy Spirit).

I love the conversation that naturally happens when two people are together traveling, and I think that’s why myDarlin’ Robert Kenui Pope and I spent so much time together (usually with him driving:-)) Michael and I talk of days gone by, life experiences and lessons, the future and the possibilities it holds. We find a sale, peruse the goods laid on blankets and tables that were once part of someone else’s’ life, chat with the people, maybe buy or not. Rinse and repeat…. We hit the thrift, consignment and antique shops…. Looking for great deals on wonderful ‘stuff’ and come out quite successful many times.

And then, there’s the sign…. an Estate Sale. We park, make our way up the driveway, and are greeted by the sales team as we walk up the well-worn steps and into the house. It was like stepping back into the 70’s – 80’s with the dark heavy furniture and décor. So many things that reminded me of my childhood, so many things that indicated these people were ‘oh so cool and with the times’ all of those years ago.

I laughed with a friend yesterday as she told me ‘No chairs!’ when I told her that Mike and I were gong junkin’. You see, that was myDarlin’ Robert’s line every time I would go junkin’. If you have been to our house, you would understand. Chairs = a place to rest and spend time with those you love. There! Now you know why I love chairs. As luck would have it, there were two wonderful, orange vinyl, retro chairs calling my name. (Speaking chairs are such an oddity that I couldn’t resist!) And so, Mike carried my treasures, including a vintage external spotlight (for photography) with exposure guide on the back, to his SUV, and we headed off to find the next stop.

We spoke of Estate Sales, and that our perception of them was of ‘Endings’. One would normally think that the person who lived in the home was elderly, and making the move to assisted living whether family or otherwise, or that they had passed away. And because of that, there is for us, a reverence when roaming through and ‘shopping’ in their home. But then, I am reminded of friends who made a decision to stop living the rat race and start living their life and truly taking the time to enjoy one another. Over the years, they accumulated lots of ‘stuff’ which filled their expansive home. The time came to quit taking care of the ‘stuff’ and start taking care of their lives. And so…. they had an Estate Sale! My perspective has forever been changed, and I remember that things aren’t always as they seem. Estate Sales…. the end, or a new beginning?

Today I am filled with gratitude for the treasures in my life. The treasure chest holds an everlasting love for myDarlin’ and all of our Ohana, time spent deep in discussion with my son exploring life and beyond, and the promise of a new beginning and eternal life with our Savior.

#KeepLookingUp