Gathering memories.......

[Bobute]

I am, by nature a gatherer. Pebbles, shells, stones, flowers, grasses, wood, anything that calls to mE.
Recently a writer friend mentioned how Native Americans always leave something when they take from mother earth.
That reminded mE of a true story in my memory book. It also reminded mE to replace when I have accepted a gift from mother earth.
A strand of hair, a seed, anything to say thank you for your many gifts along the path of life we walk. Here is my answer to my friend, Lorrriane:


Thanks for telling mE. xoxox I must always remember now to leave
something when I receive mother earths gifts. Another memory comes to
mind in Chicago again.......
Time away from the hospital was very hard to come by, especially
after he was transplanted. I had to be by his side, day and night to
help take care of him.
Needless to say it was wearing mE down after almost two months.
We were about to be released in the area so he could still come back
for physical therapy and check ups.
Sept.5th came. My birthday. I needed a break. He had started
leaving the room, with an attendant, for his therapy. It was
exhausting for him, so he usualy slept when he came back.
I needed to wash clothes, so off to Ronald House I went. I can
still smell the autumn air off the lake and feel the sunshine on my
skin. It was like being released from prison, set free to be mE once
more.
I stepped out into the day, surrounded by Mums of all colors.
God, I was alive after all !!! People, not doctors or nurses, real
people getting on and off buses, driving by in cars, there was a
world out here. Best of all, it was my birthday !!!!
I wanted to shout, "hey world, look at mE, I am alive, today is
my mine." xoxox I waited for the shuttle to the house, taking
everything in as we took a familar route away from the hospital. The
bus driver smiled, people actually smiled, even a field of Golden Rod
and Queen Annes Lace smiled, waving as we passed.
The house was quiet, not many around except my heart Andi who ran
the show. What a "mench" if there ever was one xoxox She picked me
up, straightened mE out when I wanted to run, held mE close when I
cried, and was my buddy through the whole ordeal of moving on.
"Come, sit, have a cup of tea. Here, tissues. Now talk to mE."
She took the time with each of us when we needed it. She still does
one hell of a job and she always will.xoxox
So, upstairs to my room. "Oh, hello room, it has been awhile.
Some Lithuanain music on the radio, gather the laundry, then gather
things for a nice soothing shower. My time for mE.
So, here I am later sipping tea on a front porch in a whicker
chair, just relaxing. Breathing, dreaming. I was combing my long grey
hair when suddenly it dawned on mE, we would soon be going to stage
three of this adventure.
Moving into a basement where his sister lives on the outskirts of
town. Yes we would come back, but not to Ronald House. I could visit,
but not my place anymore to stay. What can I do to leave a part of mE
behind, hopefully to be remembered.
The hair, why not the falling hair from the comb. Yes, the birds
will find it, tuck into their nest, have their babies, and I will be
with them as they grow and learn to fly.
I did leave the hair, in hope, just as Andi came through the
door asking mE to join her for a cup of tea downstairs. There it was,
candles and all. A beautiful cake, some smiling faces, and most of
all "my birthday with loving hearts."
We hugged, cried, chattered like magpies, and shared. Sudden
surprises, kindness. Just a day in early autumn, but one that will
live on forever in my book of memories.
Yes Lorraine, we all must remember to give back when we take. It
is not all for us to have forever. In the giving back we remember and
appreciate much more what we have been given.

"Its all good"
Marinochka/Bobuta
from the sea
xoxox