Lily and I are back from Michigan - geesch was it cold. Had a wonderful time, though. We arrived home late Friday. The weekend has been a slow and contemplative one. We've both been siting quietly and reading quite a bit. There has been some grocery shopping for the week.
On the spur of the moment Lily said, "Let's go out to see a movie," and suggested we see Charlie Wilson's War, so we did. The movie stars Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts. I was curious why Tom Hanks would star in a rather politically oriented film. After seeing the movie I totally get it. It's one of those movies that had me thinking about it the next day. Makes me think about how our past can shape our future if we don't stop to remember how all our actions affect others, often in ways we least expect it. This I'm sure is true for us personally as well as politically. Catch the movie - you'll see.
Here is the summary from Netflix:
"Texas congressman Charlie Wilson (Tom Hanks) sets a series of earth-shaking events in motion when he conspires with a rogue CIA operative (Philip Seymour Hoffman) to aid Afghan mujahedeen rebels in their fight against the Soviet Red Army. Julia Roberts, Emily Blunt and Amy Adams co-star in this fact-based political thriller directed by Mike Nichols and based on George Crile's 2003 book by the same name."
The other tasks Lily and I put our minds to was a vision for the house for 2008. Though we have many new plans, the one we discussed first was the inevitability of taking down all the Sharon Parish memorial pictures we've had hanging on the hallway and living room walls. It just feels like the time is right. Yep ... I felt pangs of sadness, yet I also felt a sense of completeness and that it seemed the right thing to do now as we've come to the second year of her passing.
I'm not sure what to do with them. I'm going to check with the close relatives and see which ones they might want. If there are some left over I commit to making them available to whomever might be interested.
I'm keeping a couple of them, the ones you see hanging on the wall (for now). I'm mulling over where I want to put at least one of the two pictures of us standing in a field in Sedona, Ariz. That was a beautiful and deeply loving time we enjoyed together many many years ago now.
This is just one of the many difficult tasks I'm sure all face who lose a loved one: Eventual placement of personal pictures and moving on in our lives. I feel ready to make those choices now, and I am doing that with love and respect.
With gratitude
Tom
Dear Tom and Lily:
I have not visited your site in a while. Sounds like the New Year has kept you both busy exploring new ideas and adventures. Also, you are watching some good movies for inspiration. Taking down Sharon's photos must be very difficult indeed. I suggest keeping them up somewhere in her honor - they are so personal, full of wonderful thoughts and memories and such a tribute...she loved nature and the outdoors - is there anyplace by her chimes to display them safely ?
My nephew was in a terrible car accident the day before New Year's Eve. He is young (29 years) with no money, no insurance and now, no job. Staying with his parents in Houston with broken bones all over his body. Please place him in your prayers. His name is Nathan, and it will be months before he will heal, both physically and emotionally. He has lost the use of his hands for now - they were practically crushed. I am trying to find the best way to help him and his parents and am open to ideas.
Take care, dear ones. I plan to watch some of the movies you suggested.
Much love in the new year,
Jill
Posted by: Jill Nicholson | Saturday, 19 January 2008 at 03:18 AM