Oh my the rain is pelting down today as I sit here thinking of all kinds of things. I can hear the wind whipping the rain against the window panes, love that sound. Nice and cozy inside while the weather has its way outside. All is good. Today, the first Monday morning of November. Whew! It has been quite a journey thus far with the year that all of us have had. And I mean ALL of us. Yet, November is also a month set aside to hold memories brought out to honour or to celebrate or to cherish or to be grateful for those dearly departed…All Souls Day, All Saints Day, Remembrance Day…people ever present in one’s mind no matter how much time has passed.
It is surprising how life unfolds, not knowing what is in store for you. Some things are wondrous while others…not so much. Losing someone, no matter how or why the circumstance, it is hard and difficult. But in all of that, no matter what, it is not an event; it is a long lasting remembrance even with time providing the balm to lessen pain and to heal. Not easy to do but life does go on despite what one feels inside. Have you ever noticed that? Life continues regardless of our circumstance. Right before your eyes, activity everywhere because life does not stop. The morning will come, the day will take on a life of its own, and the evening will end the day. As night comes morning, life goes on.
I think one needs to remember that. What do we know of the story of others? Not a blank slate to be sure. Whatever has taken place, the memory exists. Sometimes a person can compartmentalize, putting a lock on the door, so to speak, while others carry whatever with them. Triggered by what, who knows, but the memory is not gone just held differently. Hopefully, there is a promise of life to live in that. But regardless, it is the awareness that all may not be well.
I am not sure what the stats are but November can be a month that brings drastic change to the rhythm and flow of living life. Such as the daylight hours are shortened, darker comes in and grabs a chunk of the day on either end, morning or evening, compressing the day light. Even with the clock going back an hour (I wonder why we continue that tradition? Just a question), it is still darker. Somehow I do not think that is good for keeping a healthy well being. And for sure as lightening with this current situation, we have a pandemic heightening the claustrophobic closing nature, with more limitations. Not good.
Of course November is a closing down month too, putting away and preparing for the blanket season…winter. Not saying it too loudly because here on the island we already had snow. Keep the fluffy white stuff at bay thank you very much. The day’s not only shorter but getting colder and colder while the landscape begins to lose its brilliant lustre of colour, replaced with a palette of more browns and greys with a pale like autumn blend. And the wind has a bite in it that kind of goes right to the shivery goose bump, can’t get warm, stage.
For some reason, maybe because I opened myself up and started to fill a change within me (on-line dating – yep still interesting), I am looking and remembering this particular November day. For today marks the anniversary of the death of my husband who took his life, leaving a family to navigate. Here I say aloud. Family and close friends know but now I want it down on paper to give witness to his death. Fourteen years later, so much has changed; thankfully and gratefully. At the time, not so much. I certainly have grown and learned as has my girls. Proud of them. So prayers go out to those who have lost a significant person to a decision that only is between themselves and God.
So I extend a thank you to the “Movember” men changing the face of men’s health as they grow (if they can) a moustache or some kind of facial hair. Not making fun. I have a feeling that many men like to do it because they do not want to shave (just saying). LOL. But seriously the importance of raising awareness of men’s health issues which include taking one’s life, battling mental well being as well as fighting cancer. Some things that go on are not visible always.
Here’s to you November, a month of remembering, and being full of hope. I shouldn’t say it is all bad. Even though there is more darkness in the sky, less sunlight, less nature activity, just less. But, I was looking up November reflections and thinking what could one say. And so…
“Spring is brown; summer, green; autumn, yellow; winter, white; November, gray.” —Henry David Thoreau
“I have come to regard November as the older, harder man’s October. I appreciate the early darkness and cooler temperatures…It is a month for a quieter, slightly more subdued celebration of summer’s death as winter tightens its grip.” —Henry Rollins
“In November, the smell of food is different. It is an orange smell. A squash and pumpkin smell. It tastes like cinnamon and can fill up a house in the morning … Food is better in November than any other time of the year.” —Cynthia Rylant
“November is usually such a disagreeable month . . . as if the year had suddenly found out that she was growing old and could do nothing but weep and fret over it.” —L.M. Montgomery
It’s all good. You go November. Blessings this day.
Let us think of those who need our thoughts and prayers as we hold them in our hearts.
Karenpondering 