My little red tether is my anchor in running with my friends. A beautiful guide dog has been my tether/anchor in mobility and independence for 17 years: 1. Pantera 2. Cricket, and now my beautiful 3. Georgina (Georgie). A life of family and friends is my joy and anchor in life.

The human spirit is stronger than anything that can happen to it. CC Scott

Sunday, May 1, 2011

Cleansing

We have been doing some spring cleaning around here, and it feels great.  I said goodbye to some clothes.  I get scentimental about clothes and the memories I have had in wearing them.  So the good bye isn't easy but I needed to make a little room for some new. 
Cricket loves to snuggle underneath my jackets and on top of my running/biking/hiking shoes.  Does she know those are some of my favorites?  I trained with her in those blue Merrells. They are pretty worn out but they have such sweet scentimental value of putting them on and going for a workout at Guide Dogs for the Blind with her! We bonded walking the streets of Portland & Gresham in these shoes. 
I'm struggling with goodbye to a pair of silver shoes that I have almost worn a hole in the back.  I've put them in the garbage twice and pulled them out!   I don't even know how many miles Cricket and I have walked and flown in these shoes and my big silver bag that has a hole in it, but is just the right size!  I keep saying, I'll wear them one more time!

       In some cleaning downstairs I came across the metal plates that were removed from Pantera's leg from her surgery.
  
It takes me back to so many long commutes that Pantera and I had together.  We trekked through cold winter mornings on two buses to work and grad school after Steve and the kids left for work and school.  These metal plates represent resilience to me.  They will stay.  Perhaps, I will find a prettier package to put them  in.

Some deep cleansing at the office that feels SO amazing.  I took a load to the dumpster and after I knew all was 'clear' in my path I skipped - almost to the car.  It felt great.  If I had of run into something I would have gotten back up.   Perhaps, that's what bruises and scars teach us, that we do get back up and carry on.  My shins, forehead and above my eyes have scars and endured many bruises - its okay.  Each has a story to tell.  (Remember when I ran into the two chairs downstairs and broke my foot, stitches above my eye, and broke one of the chairs!  I started a new job a couple days later with Pantera, a black eye, and a cast on my foot!  Glad the job offer had already happened!)         

Steve did his season change magic with my closet - arranging it by colors and styles.

Hope you had a great weekend.    

4 comments:

S.DAY said...

I have a special place in my heart for Pantera, she listened to some of the hardest moments of my life. She was a good guide AND therapy dog.
I hold onto clothes for the sentimental value also, I have a tennis dress that I wore in many tournaments and It would be humanly impossible for me to EVER fit into it again, but I just can't seem to let it go.
You're my daily inspiration. Love ya

Clive said...

Great post!

I've kept lots of clothes that I will never wear again but for lots of reasons don't want to give up! They're in boxes in the attic!! I'm hoping some day Sorcha might enjoy looking through them and even wear one or two of them!

take care
Fiona

DCHY said...

Spring cleaning is SO in order at my house...but I refuse to do that alone. ;)

Infrequent Flyers said...

You are so good about going through things. When do you find the time?! It's always on my "get around to it" list. Sweet story about the metal plates--you've gotta keep those forever!