Letters Home: Section 1, Letter dated September 20

September 20
Katrina,



The fresh September morning breeze is brisk this morning as it comes in through the window. As I sit here at Father’s old oak desk, the breeze seems to speak to me, whispering in my ear and teasing me with humorous memories from the past. And, as I smile in response to the wordless messages, part of my heart brightens.



The past is full of bright memories and difficult days. Life is like that, an incredible combination of laughter, easy paths, obstacles, and tears. For too many years I focused on the negative memories, Katrina, but I’m learning in my old age to do better now, to remember the good times, the laughter, and all of the blessings, even learning to be thankful for the blessings that come from learning difficult lessons and overcoming obstacles. It is all part of the journey.



What is the past, Sister? Do we make too much of it, spending our energies considering options no longer available to us, dwelling on what has been lost or what was never had? I think we do, Kat. Energy can be fleeting, just as can be time, and so many of us waste our energy focusing on days already forgotten to the world instead of spending energy improving today and tomorrow.



Yet, is there really a tomorrow? Or, is tomorrow nothing more than a wish? For, dear Sister, tomorrow seems to be elusive, a promise always just a step ahead of us. Perhaps, all we really have is today, here, now.



Is that the secret of time, Katrina? Could it be that the past is merely something similar to a book we have lived, an opportunity to look back over the pages, emphasizing sections with underlines and marginal notes, and then learning from the mistakes that were made; using this learned information to make today, now, the best it can be; using the combination of mistakes and triumphs from yesterday and today to plan for the next today that comes along?



The seasonal changes have kept me thinking, Katrina, invigorating the mind with questions that have answers only known to those much greater than myself.



Sisters,
Christina






This work is fictional. Any resemblance to actual situations or persons, living or dead, is coincidental and unintentional.





Messages From The Heart, a collection of poems and verses authored by Debra Phillips, is now available in print at www.wordclay.com and in download format at www.lulu.com.