Do You Smell That? (Part I)

The sense of smell has a "memory".

There are moments in life when a familiar scent can transport us back to a day...an event...a specific moment in time.

It has taken a long time for me to reach the point of telling my story of a very personal smell memory.  It's been in the forefront of my thoughts lately....so I think it must be time to write it down.

Rewind to Aug 4, 1957.  I was 3 3/4 years old - and spending the day with my family at the lake cabin in northern Minnesota.


I have vague visual memories of the place itself.

But - due to the life-altering event that happened that day - I have an intense olfactory recall of the smell of the fumes given off by those little putt-putt boat motors.

To this day - that smell is the trigger that transports me back to the saddest of summer days - when 20-month-old Stevie  managed to slip out of the cabin during the chaos that comes with meal preparation for a crowd.

In true toddler fashion - he followed his curiosity impulses to the dock...to the small fishing boat...to the moment of reaching over the side of the boat to touch the pretty water...

...and then our lives changed forever.

Later - I remember watching the world unfold from a bird's-eye-view - hoisted up high on my dad's shoulders.   (More than likely placed there to keep tabs on me.) 

I watched, I heard, I saw, I remember.  But it's still "the smell" that takes me back to that day.

To Leap...

...is to Trust.

If you don't leap -

you'll never know.

(Check out the expression on the kid...classic!)
 

It's comforting to know that there is often a safety ledge...

...in many forms...

... on the other side.

There will be some bumps and bruises along the way...

...and they will heal.

No leaping...No living.

The tricky part?

 
...To trust enough to leap again.

Here's to more leaps...

...and smooth landings.

Yes.

(Not so) FAQ's #19

What makes my sister break out in fits of laughter when looking at me from across the table?

When I'm sitting in front of the bunny cookie jar...

...and it appears that I have sprouted an extra pair of ears!

It's a new look for me...


...I kinda like it.

Only the Shadow Knows...

...I guess.

Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow this morning.

So if you believe that a large - but kinda cute - rodent can predict the seasons - then 6 more weeks of winter lie ahead.

Considering this is my first winter in my new neighborhood...

if the next 6 weeks of winter are anything like the last 6...

Hey - no problem!

From what the natives tell me - this winter has been rather 'milk toast'.

The focus of my next 6 weeks - will not be about a chubby rodent's shadow, winter, or milk toast.

I will be reaching for a shift in my world...some positive and long-overdue changes in my outlook...changes that can only come from within.





My shadow says...

...it's time to climb.

Watch me...

...I can do this!

(Not so) FAQ's #18

Am I ever gonna figure this out?



Figuratively speaking...I miss the music.











 
I know time heals...

...the hardest part is being patient - and giving time enough time.



Progress often feels like 2 steps forward - 1 step back.

(Thanks JP - for the awesome photo of your feet!)





But the good news is that even then - it's still forward motion. 

The music is elusive....

...maybe I'm trying too hard to find it again.




I'm open to suggestions.

For the Luck of Monkees

Here begins the first day of the rest of my life.


Do I feel lucky?


Not really....


...But I feel ready.




Godspeed...

...to me.

A Geography Lesson

One reason for moving to my latest address was to reduce the distance gap in a special relationship.

Sadly...

...the 'distance' turned out to be far more complex than mere geography.

But still - it was necessary and important to try. 

It was the right decision.

No regrets.

Sometimes you have to love someone enough...

...to let them go.

I have let go.