Today I am thinking of final times...and things that come to pass.
The final time I see the first robin of the year
The final time I wait for elderberry blossoms to fruit
The final time I gather the ripened berries and sit for hours, fingers deftly removing the stems
The final time I feed wild turkeys at the state forest
The final time I carry my folding chair onto Sandwich Town Beach
The final time I sit by the summer ocean
The final time I watch for the beach plums to ripen
The final time my arms are scratched bloody while plucking them from thorny branches
The final time I turn my wild bounty into beach plum and elderberry jam
The final time I satisfyingly line a shelf with row upon row of jelly jars, like sparkling gems of ruby and amethyst
The final time I take my dog for a 5 minute walk
The final time I forage for wild mushrooms
The final time I cook for enjoyment
The final time I see the glorious colors of Autumn leaves
The final time my nose gets dusted with pollen while smelling a Casablanca lily
The final time I pinch off sprigs of curly mint growing at the bottom of my stairs and breathe in its fragrance
The final time I plant a flower
I would have made these moments more sacred had I known I was doing them for a final time.
~~~
Looking up at the sky
Walking with my head held high, in perfect posture
Breathing without having to fight for it
Feeling my body totally relax
Smiling and laughing
Eating and drinking without having to do certain maneuvers to prevent choking
Taking my dog for a walk
Driving for pleasure
Having my teeth cleaned
Being able to do anything with ease
Working in a garden
Doing anything for pleasure
Enjoying, really enjoying life
Being free of physical pain and discomfort
~~~~
I will make very special moments of what remains within my ability to do
as if doing each one for the final time.
The final time I see the first robin of the year
The final time I wait for elderberry blossoms to fruit
The final time I gather the ripened berries and sit for hours, fingers deftly removing the stems
The final time I feed wild turkeys at the state forest
The final time I carry my folding chair onto Sandwich Town Beach
The final time I sit by the summer ocean
The final time I watch for the beach plums to ripen
The final time my arms are scratched bloody while plucking them from thorny branches
The final time I turn my wild bounty into beach plum and elderberry jam
The final time I satisfyingly line a shelf with row upon row of jelly jars, like sparkling gems of ruby and amethyst
The final time I take my dog for a 5 minute walk
The final time I forage for wild mushrooms
The final time I cook for enjoyment
The final time I see the glorious colors of Autumn leaves
The final time my nose gets dusted with pollen while smelling a Casablanca lily
The final time I pinch off sprigs of curly mint growing at the bottom of my stairs and breathe in its fragrance
The final time I plant a flower
I would have made these moments more sacred had I known I was doing them for a final time.
~~~
Things I have not been able to do for years and wish I had cherished more.. things which have passed out of my life - already done for the final time:
Looking up at the sky
Walking with my head held high, in perfect posture
Breathing without having to fight for it
Feeling my body totally relax
Smiling and laughing
Eating and drinking without having to do certain maneuvers to prevent choking
Taking my dog for a walk
Driving for pleasure
Having my teeth cleaned
Being able to do anything with ease
Working in a garden
Doing anything for pleasure
Enjoying, really enjoying life
Being free of physical pain and discomfort
~~~~
I will make very special moments of what remains within my ability to do
as if doing each one for the final time.
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