Blindsided

I have been blindsided a couple times lately. Just out of the blue came reminders of people I love; people whose physical presence has been lost to me.

While perusing Pinterest, a very time-consuming enterprise, there on my screen was the picture of a bottle of mucilage glue. Those bottles and their little rubber tops with the tiny slit bring back many memories. I had an affinity for those bottles as a child. There is nothing quite so wonderful in childhood as a new box of crayons, a newly sharpened pencil, and a new bottle of mucilage glue. Elmer's is fine for coating one's palm then peeling it off, but mucilage is just, well, more exotic. The name seems a little icky and, perhaps, gross to say, and the glue comes out in little secretions instead of blobs. Oh, and you can spread it with the rubber tip instead of using a craft stick or your finger.

Once on a Later Day Saints trip, Mz. Bernie and I saw a display of bottles of mucilage glue. I commented how nostalgic I feel when I see those bottles. The next thing I knew, Mz. Bernie had bought me a bottle. I still have it, though the glue has pretty much dried up, which, truth be told, the little crystals dried mucilage glue make are pretty neat themselves.

When I saw the picture of the glue on Pinterest, I was blindsided for a moment by my longing to sit down and have a conversation with Mz. Bernie at the little sitting area in her kitchen. But, I can't. She's conversing with Jesus and Buddy, someone else lives in her house (or they tore it down to build a new one...I just cannot drive down Belvidere to find out), and I am left with my memories, which is a little sad, but much better than to never have known her.

Today, in all this pouring rain (I love a rainy day), a walking tour was just not going to work. I drove to Davidson Academy to speak there in place of the planned downtown tour. Because I do not like driving on the interstate and I do not like driving in the rain (bad wreck in college on a rainy day), I drove through town and out Dickerson Road to get to my destination. I would like to report that it is a lovely scenic drive, but, really that just is not true. However, it is a route that took me through some sort of old stomping grounds.

I was blindsided when I passed the Hillcrest Kennel. My brother, Mike, owned that kennel for a brief moment. It was not a good fit for him and created a great deal of anxiety, so he gave it up. It was just around the corner from where he and his wife lived for many years. That house is where they raised their children. I was struck by many memories. I would dearly love to sit down at the kitchen table with Mike and hear his take on the upcoming presidential election. He would have some salty words I am sure. But, I can't. He is off fishing on some celestial shore, someone else is sharing political perspectives in that house, and I am left with my memories, sweet, sweet memories that spanned  almost 63 years of my life.

Among others, I miss Mz. Bernie and Mike. I believe my life would have been greatly diminished had I not known them. I miss my chats, but find myself grateful for the sadness for it is the result of love.

For today, I wish you fond memories, moments of being blindsided, and I wish you

Blessings