MandatoryPositive

  WRITING PROMPT: Write about something that was hidden in plain sight. Did other people notice it? Was it significant to someone else?  Through a series of unfortunate events, my mom lost most of her stuff. I won’t go into why, mainly because it’s no one’s business, and partially because I always feel bad that I didn’t do more.  I always tried to tell her that it was just “stuff” and it wasn’t important. I was trying to make her feel better, but I’m pissed off at myself for ever saying that. It was HER stuff and she was hurt.  In particular, she wanted these brass elephant book ends and blue floral lamp.  Oddly, I couldn’t for the life of me remember these items. I think it annoyed her when I said that. She would often reply “yes you do!”   Apparently these lamps and bookends were significant. They had made it through several redecorations and she loved them.  She had a sad look whenever she spoke of them.   Today while looking through old photos...

  After spending most of my day working on something I’ll call “The Legacy Project” I am feeling particularly sentimental. Pouring over the photos of relatives I’ve lost and some I never even met. I have scanned, cropped and uploaded until my vision became blurry,  and I’m not done. I’m grateful I’m not done because to be done, means I have no more. Each piece has brought me a little joy, so naturally I WANT MORE!  I am swimming in memories and emotions-the good kind,  and my heart is full-which is very rare these days.  I am supposed to be reviewing grants, but I took a break to heat up a bowl of collard greens. I once again made them how I like them- with double the smoked Turkey necks so they’re a main, not side dish.  I used to always tell mom I was going to do that. She scoffed at the notion, so I never did, until this past year. My ancestors are standing together shaking their heads that I had the NERVE to once again make greens with no cornbread in a...

I couldn’t sleep last night. As I looked around and saw how much I needed to do I just cried.  I could practically hear my mothers voice saying “you’re being ridiculous”.  She wasn’t one for tears for no reason.   A long while back I removed 6-8 layers of paint off doors and baseboard and window sills throughout my house.  They all still have to be sanded and either painted or stained-something I’ve been avoiding.  I’m not naturally “handy,” I’ve just been figuring it out as I go along.  It has NOT been an easy task. If I’m going to be totally transparent, there have been MANY tears along the way.   This morning my iPhone memories showed me this. Siri is petty, but this was a reminder of how far I’ve come-especially for a YouTube DIYer.  When I started I had no idea this wood was underneath all the layers.  I wonder what the previous owners were thinking when they painted each color. A murkey brown, an electric blue, several different shades ...