Pardon the Interruption….
If you’ve been stopping by here for awhile, you know I sometimes stray from my usual themes. This happens to be one of those Motivation Mondays.
Over the weekend, I couldn’t stop thinking about one of the biggest challenges I’ve struggled with since turning the “Big 4-0” a few years ago: saying goodbye.
There are the goodbyes we say to our loved ones. Some will suffer from drawn-out illnesses of the body or the mind that we wouldn’t wish on our worst enemies. Others are taken too young and too tragically to ever fully comprehend or find any semblance of “closure.” Then there are the goodbyes we say to certain places that meant so much for so long. For me, that goodbye became a reality at the end of last week. That’s when a demolition team reduced the place my parents and I called home for 37 years to rubble in a matter of hours. Even though we knew the tear-down was coming, I was overwhelmed by the sense of finality once it happened.
It’s amazing how the heart and mind can find so much comfort in stone, brick and siding. Of course, it’s not the materials that make a house special. It’s the memories created within those sturdy walls with help from countless friends and family members who walked through the doors throughout the decades. Those special times are what made the house a beautiful home. Here are just a few of those beautiful moments for which I will be forever grateful:
- More than 30 Christmases
- Learning how to swing a bat and throw a baseball thanks to the guidance of my Dad and my beloved Nonno on the front lawn while Nonna sat with a watchful eye under a shady tree.
- Learning how to make passatini and other cooking adventures with Mom.
- Giggling with Grandma Julia while we were supposedly napping during her visits from Florida for the holidays.
- Getting rid of the training wheels and learning how to ride my bicycle in the driveway, with help from my “big brother” Robbie.
- Running through the sprinklers to stay cool on summer days with my childhood gal pals, who are now my lifelong friends.
- BBQs in the backyard and bocce matches on the front lawn.
As the list of memories grew in my mind, I realized that’s where they’ll live forever. (We also happen to have fun reminders of so many happy occasions thanks to the dozens of old photo albums that now live in my parents’ new home!) This is why I’m able to type the last words of this post with a smile on my face. Because saying goodbye doesn’t erase the past. It just helps accentuate when a new chapter can begin. And new chapters are the perfect time to re-commit the heart and soul to make the most of each and every day on this never-ending journey to have fun, be fit and feel fabulous!
*Please note, I intentionally left a photo out of this week’s post to emphasize the fact that sometimes the best place to find an image that can help the heart feel better is in the mind.
Posted on May 8, 2017, in Nostalgia, Uncategorized and tagged Childhood, Memories, Motivation Monday. Bookmark the permalink. 10 Comments.
lauralovesfitness 
What a beautiful post Laura, and a great reminder of what matters.
Thanks for taking the time to leave such a kind comment.
It’s also amazing how healthy it can be to get some emotions out “on paper” to deal with some of life’s changes and major events.
Dearest Laura I’m reading your beautiful post here at Favignana where in a different but similar way I’m adjusting to the ‘disappearance’ of my parents’ home here (through the sale..) you’ve written beautifully and with great sensitivity – thank you, my lovely lovely cousin – love you very much- Claire
Sent from my iPhone
Hello Claire,
How wonderful of you to take time from your busy work in Favignana! Thank you for your loving and kind words – I feel like I just received a great big hug!
Good luck with your tasks there…and never forget the wonderful memories in that beautiful place.
xoxo
Laura
Laura! wow, how powerful. I’m so sorry about the house – I didn’t realize that was going to happen. But you know what, you’ve all successfully moved on together, which is so important. It still stings I’m sure though. Thanks for sharing.
Hello Paula,
Thanks for your kind words. It does still sting, but writing about it certainly helped. I’ve also been overwhelmed by the supportive comments from wonderful people like you!
Thanks again,
Laura
Hello From Drought Condition Florida
As a long time patient of your fathers and after finishing with the medical solutions we would always start talking about personal things. The first subject was always about you and how your life was going with its ups and downs. If there were some new pictures he would always show them proudly. He would always mention if there were new flowers growing around the house. The house had to be worth a million plus so I cannot understand why it was being torn down. If you have time I would like to know why.
You can mention to your father that my current medical problem is Abdominal Distention and is being looked into at the Mayo Clinic here in Florida.
To quote Star Trek “May You Live Long And Prosper”
Ed Zemaitis
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How nice of you to take the time to write from Florida!
I’ll be sure to send my Dad your regards and also fill him on your latest medical “adventures.” Hope the doctors at the Cleveland Clinic can help you.
Thank you for your kind words. Seems my “old” neighborhood is seeing a lot of tear-downs. Just a sign of the times.
Thanks again and I wish you better health ahead!
Your beautifully written memory sent uncle Dave looking for a hankie. I suppose that it had to do with his own home getting torn down. Whatever caused it, it was a heartfelt article that brought tears to this 81 year old’s eyes.
Hello Sheila, Thanks for taking the time to check in. Hope Uncle Dave found some comfort in that hankie and it’s touching to think I reached your hearts from here in NYC. Love you both!