Fond Farewell

My morning started this way:

One son to the other, “Can I wear your white socks?”

Other son replies, “No!”

“Why?”

“Cause their mine!”

“So?”

“You will put a hole in them”

“No, I won’t”
“Yes, you will”

As the discussion escalates to shouting, followed by the inevitable shoving, I’ve had enough.

“Are you guys really arguing over a pair of socks?” I ask exasperated.

“Do you have any idea how much stuff you have?  You can’t possibly wear every pair of socks you own, anyway, you have so many!”

My tirade continues: “Do you know how lucky you are? You have food on your plate at every meal, a warm house, a family who loves you! And you can’t find it in your heart to share one pair of socks?”

By now their eyes are glazing over and I know they are in the just-act-like-your- listening mode.  But I forge ahead: “Learn to be grateful and generous with all that you have, share willingly, give happily!”

And with that we have officially launched into the holiday season.  It’s the season of giving, but so quickly turns to the season of getting. 

I worry about how to raise a child in this world of newer, better, faster. Can they truly be thankful; can they truly appreciate what’s important in life; can they become a strong, successful, satisfied adult who is still kind, thoughtful, generous, and yes, thankful. Can you even teach that?  Can they learn? 

I am banking on it, literally.

Just shy of 20 years ago my husband and I were attempting to purchase our first house together.  We weren’t even married at the time, and had a mere 5% as a down payment.  We were not getting very far with banks willing to take us on as a loan risk.  But one banker did.   We were grateful and told him so at the time.

Seven years ago we purchased our 4^th house since that day.  We loved its location, with trees, room to run, privacy and all we could dream of in challenges and charm.

We didn’t think the neighborhood could get any better, but it did.

To our surprise, right across the street lived the very banker who gave us our start.

Over the years our family came to know him along with his delightful wife as two of the most genuine, devoted people we have had the opportunity to know.

A true gentleman, and the love of his life, devoted and doting as though they were still courting even though they traded rings long before I was born. 

Without ever knowing, they have taught everyone in our family a little something about living the dream, openly finding so much more joy in caring for the other than in any selfish pursuits.  Their generosity and interest in our boys touched our hearts countless times with special little unexpected gifts and treats and the most lovely detailed thank you notes written in the most beautiful and delicate cursive script I’ve ever seen.

            

Their loyalty to one another was joyful, their love pure, a groom and his bride right to the end.

           

 We have lost them both now, he a long, heartbroken year after her.

They quietly lived their happily-ever-after in their little house in the woods, right across the street, but the lessons they were teaching us couldn’t have been shouted any louder.  

 It is with heavy hearts we remember so many of life’s most simple lessons and how quickly they can be forgotten in a busy rush to get it done world.   But I also find peace and hope in this joyful season, knowing that yes, you can learn these lessons of life if your lucky enough to have a good teacher.