Monday Morning Musings:
“But it is only in epic tragedies that gloom is unrelieved. In real life tragedy and comedy are so intermingled that when one is most wretched ridiculous things happen to make one laugh in spite of oneself.”
–Georgette Heyer, Civil Contract
“Here in the moving shadows
I catch my breath and sing–
My heart is fresh and fearless
And over-brimmed with spring.”
–from Sara Teasdale, “May Night”
Here the ghost eyes eternity
looking through a window
from the after
flying through fires of if
laughing at when
they embraced,
in heartbeats
measured time
****
My heart is over-brimmed
as my mother’s eyes fill
and weak are her limbs.
Days move from freezing rain
to summer heat
and I reel from pain
of seeing her so.
But nature and comedy
make me smile and laugh
and provide a remedy
both constant and temporary–
because life is full of
tragedy and joy, the extraordinary
and ordinary
of illness, broken cars, and trains delayed
–and the first strawberries
of the season
the scent alone
a reason
to celebrate life
and being here
friends, family, husband, wife—
we go through shadows
seek light,
and who knows
what will be, and if anything will be right
(the world sighs)
but there, the light
comes through the trees
and we drink coffee
savor moments, these
small joys, please–
the walks and shadow shows
pizza, wine, dogs—these
simple pleasures bring
to our hearts even in winter
feelings of spring
(briefly in my mother’s eyes)
and comedy and tragedy both fly
dancing to the tune
of the moon’s lullaby.
Thank you for all the good wishes for my mom. She has improved some from her stroke, and we were able to take her outside yesterday for a little while. We saw our son-in-law perform a stand-up routine at Helium Comedy Club in Philadelphia, and we saw Manual Cinema’s Ada/Ava at the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia. This is the second time we’ve seen one of their shows. They’re hard to describe–but combine shadow puppets, actors, and live music to create something unique. If you get a chance, see them perform. There’s a video on this Kimmel Center link.
Yesterday and today: Merril's historical musings 
A poignant post with some lovely photographs. May your mother continue to progress
Thank you very much, Derrick. Much appreciated.
I love reflections and so does my husband. Once on our way downtown, Cliff, the driver, was staring at a reflection on a skyscraper and nearly crashed our car. My scream saved the day!
And I share Derrick’s wish for your mother’s recovery.
Wonderful Monday post, Merril.
Lovely your mom was able to go outside and take in the fresh air!
Thank you, Dale. Yes, it was a nice change for her–even though she was exhausted afterwards.
I’ve no doubt…
Lovely post, Merril. I’m so relieved to hear your mother is improving. A little fresh air is always a good thing.
Thank you very much, Jill!
This is so beautiful, it tugs at the heartstrings. ” life is full of
tragedy and joy, the extraordinary”. Lovely, nostalgic, uplifting, thank you Merril.
Thank you so very much, Holly! ❤
You are welcome , it was a joy to read. ❤
🙂
I’m glad your mother is appreciating the spring. Whatever comes next, it’s good that she has all of you, the strawberries and the spring 🙂
Thank you. Yes, I’m glad we were able to get her outside on Sunday. Yesterday she was not doing so well.
I suppose that’s how it’s going to be from now on. Good days and bad days.
Yes, I suppose so. It’s hard to watch and deal with.
I can imagine. In one way I feel envious that you still have her, and in another, although I lost me mother too soon, at least I never saw her dwindle.
Yes, I thought of that. I know you lost both parents suddenly and when they were younger. My mother is so unlike the way she was now.
That must be hard, seeing the change. It was bad enough watching the change in my mother after my dad died, and how she found a thousand things to do, always doing something or going somewhere. It was her way of coping until she got tired of it.
😦
I’m glad to hear your mother is improving. I hope that continues.
I love your images of light and shadow. They go well with your beautiful weaving of words. ❤
Thanks so much, Robin! ❤
It seems my mom did not have such a good day yesterday, but I appreciate your kind thoughts and words.
😦 I’m sorry. I hope today is better.
Thank you very much, Robin.
These ups and downs can be trying for your mother, and on you. That you are there for her comes as no surprise, as your posts have always shown how close you are to your family. I’m glad she had that good day to enjoy the fresh air.
Thank you very much, Ken. I’m glad she had that good day, too.
What a wonderful sight! Yes, all those emotions at once. (K)
Yes, definitely. Thank you!
As others have said, I too am glad your mum had a day with you and yours outside. Sadly the ups and downs will continue but I hope she (and you) can still look forward to more such days. By the way, I had to smile at the mention of strawberries as a reason to celebrate life. Here’s why: a cousin who grew up in upstate NY lived for several years in Arizona and then decided to return to NY and its long, dark winters. At one point, she told me that when it got to be around February, she would feel almost suicidal from the relentless cold and dark. And then she’d remember the strawberry picking that she and other cousins and friends would enjoy. Just the idea of fresh-picked strawberries got her through the darkest time.
Thank you very much, Marie, for your comments. Yes–all of what you said about my mom. I love your friend’s strawberry story. I honestly haven’t had any fresh Jersey strawberries yet, but I saw the signs up at a stand, and I will get some soon. And your friend’s story made me think of all the fun times I’ve picked strawberries. When we picked them with our girls when they were young, we always had strawberry shortcake for dinner! 🙂
Strawberry and blueberry picking is a favorite activity for many in my family. Somehow I missed out on it, though. Kind of embarrassed to say I’ve never picked berries.
I never did it until I was an adult, but I haven’t done it in the last few years.
Cherish every moment in the here and now…we aren’t promised tomorrow.
Good on you for taking care of your mother.
Thank you very much for your kind words.
I love how you view life – the tragedy and the comedy intermixed and interspersed within the drama and daring of life. (I believe I view it all similarly.) I’m glad your mom is getting better. My guy and I drove down to see my mom in DE a week ago – her dementia even deeper (if possible), me trying not to cry, but at one point laughing at her sudden smile, wondering what and who she sees. ❤
Life does seem to be that way. I’m sorry about your mom, but I’m glad you could enjoy her sudden smile. My mom has improved somewhat, but she has good and bad days, and she’s going to need more care than she had before.
My heart is giving yours a hug.
❤️