If You Like It Then You Shoulda | 10.29.20
Been thinking about symbols lately, the ones we assign value to, the ones we decide hold power. Rings, necklaces, tattoos, crosses, all the talismans we let into our lives and call them representative. Somehow, those we deem most special, indispensable even, can transport us to a time and place far from where we stand. When I look at the ring I wear now, when I look at her hand and the rings on the fingers, I am there, feeling warmth against the storms that were coming. For a brief moment, I am there, and it’s hard opening my eyes and realizing it’s not true. What symbols do You hold dear?
A ring a hand held
a warmth against the cooling.
Are we still there now?
Also, as a little bonus for all you Substackers (is that a word?) I decided to create a permanent discount code to use on almost everything in my Merch Shop. So, if you’re wanting grab bags of these Daily Haiku, signed Typewriter Series Prints, Journals, Mugs, Gift Cards, etc. just enter code: SUBSTACKERS and it’ll knock some money off. It’s the least I can do for you friggen beauties.
Rocks. Big boulders, to be exact. When I built my first house, my father lived with me at the time (and was battling cancer). He had me keep the large rocks that were unearthed as they dug the basement because "do you know how much people pay for those, T?" LOL. We placed most of them around the house, with three in the corner of the backyard. He said he wanted to plant a weeping willow by those rocks. He died before he could...and I moved from that house the following year. Charlie and I just completed a house that happens to be on a cul de sac with a similar lot shape. We kept all of the boulders unearthed as they dug the basement. We had a weeping willow installed in the corner of the backyard two weeks ago. We encircled it with 7 large rocks from the unearthing (my dad had 7 children). Those rocks and that tree remind me daily that love abides...it changes and sometimes the person you love can't talk back to you anymore...but the love remains. I envision my grandchildren sitting under that tree and being connected to my dad. Love abides and it multiplies. <3
A necklace. I helped my dad pick it out for my stepmom for Valentines Day 2012. She passed away later that year, and today would've been their 15 year anniversary. I wear her necklace every single day, and haven't taken it off in 7 years. It's the little things we carry each and every day that mean the most. 💛