Wednesday, December 30, 2009

more on observing

it was exciting to see how i am not alone in my thoughts on living in the present. i am always amazed at how much i have in common with the women (and men) who read my blog. maybe it is an age thing, that as we get older; we get wiser about what is truly important in life. i could easily live in my past and spend my time wallowing in pity over what happened to my child. but what good would that do? who would that benefit? certainly not Tucker, certainly not me, certainly not Dillon and definitely not my friends or family. so i don't do it. occasionally i'll have a sad day; but that is normal. but typically, i try to live day to day, do what i have to do and make art!

speaking of Tucker, he is sick today. i suspected it yesterday. he had a good night but then all of a sudden around 9:30am, it was like the "cold and flu" fairy flew over him and sprinkle some dust on him and BAM! coughing, sneezing, more coughing. the type of coughing that i stay right next to him with suction ready. the type of coughing where we put a call into our neighbor/doctor and say, guess what? antibotics and steroids are on reserve and i am in KECIA RN mode. i've sat with him in his bed all day taking care of him. my back is sore, i am exhausted, but that's ok. i know how to make him feel better because i am his mom.

so if i disappear for a few days, that is why. when he is sick, its is 4 times the work that he normally requires from us (and that is a lot). it is wearing and as i sit here, hard on my body! my back aches so bad.

So, now back to the topic of observing. tuck and i watched "kung fu panda" today. have you seen it? it's very cute and a lot can be learned from it. i was delighted to hear this quote in the movie where the panda felt inadequate and wanted to give up; so the wise turtle said to him; "yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. But today is a gift. That is why it is called the present". silly me, but i found that quite profound!

So in between my frantic caregiving, what did i observe today? i observed my sweet little Kirby, who is 14 now. I watched her as she made her rounds outside. I home cook for Kirby (after a nasty seizure a few years ago, we made some changes, dietary being one of them). she LOVES her home cooking and barks at me to hurry up and feed her. she jumps up and down like a puppy and then she enjoys her meal. as soon as she is done, like habit; she wants to go outside. she goes out and walks the perimeter of the backyard. she has a routine and today i observed her as she started on the right side of the yard and made her way over to the shed, where she goes behind it and disappears for a few minutes. she reappears under the hammock and makes her way to the left side of the yard. she is so cute and i wanted to imprint that on my brain as i know that her time with us is limited and of course, that makes me sad beyond belief. but i chose today to watch and enjoy her sweet little habits.


11 comments:

  1. wow i love what the panda said about living in the present i have found myself over the past few days thinking about this my father is in the hospital and we could have lost him. in the new year i want to live to the fullest and enjoy everything. and your poochie what a cutie =o) i had to put my last on to sleep over a year ago and it does get better but you never forget them they forever leave paw prints on our hearts. hope you have a great new years!!!

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  2. You have pinpointed exactly how to imprint something beloved into your pschye; lasting forever and ever. Being in love with a dog is one of the greatest kinds of love there is. Love, Mom

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  3. Here's a great quote from Will Rogers-"Never let yesterday use up too much of today." Wish I had said that!! I hate new year resolutions so I made mine last week--Live each day to the fullest no matter what it brings and I'm learning to "live out loud"! I hope your son gets better quickly. I also have an older dog (13)and I understand. Love & enjoy him today!
    Pat, A Remade Life

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  4. I hope Tucker will get better quickly. I also hope that you will find strength and energy after taking extra care of him. May your new year be a much more healthy or more precious one for you, Tucker, Dillon, Kirby, and the rest of the family! &rew

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  5. Happy and healthy new year to everyone in your family kecia.

    I things have calmed down a bit and everyone is feeling better.

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  6. I just left a message.. where did it go??

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  7. You are living your life the only way you know, but I think you are amazing! Happy New Year Kecia!!
    Sending healing wishes to Tucker!

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  8. I hope that Tucker is feeling better, he is fortunate to have so much love around him. I loved your discussion about the "Present". It's what I admire so much about my mom. If ever someone had the excuse to wallow it would be she. However, she lives IN every day and gets excited over all of the little things that end up adding up to large blessings!!

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  9. I hope Tucker is feeling much better now, and your back as well. Love the photo of sweet Kirby. My Max just turned 10 in December.
    Happy New Year.
    ~Shari

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  10. i'm sorry your son is sick, kecia. i pray he will get better quickly. he is blessed and doubly so to have you as his mama. i loved reading about kirby. his routine reminds me of my big dog and the things he would do. the way he would communicate with me. i am just getting to know our new puppy. sometimes i feel like there is no sound coming from him. but i know that i am just learning to hear it properly. so thank you for observing. it reminds me to try harder, to play close attention. happy new year, sweetie!

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  11. Hey fellow gypsy soul! You have an amazing take on life and I am sooo impressed by your steady positivity (it that a word)I have to let you know you gave me a well needed shot of inspiration from this post. Happy New Year!
    B~

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