This morning when walking with the dog, viewing the surrounding hills and valleys, the thoughts that enjoined me were that, from on high and looking down over it all, it resembled many a person's life path. The compartmentalised fields divided by the limestone walls, the deep valleys, the deserted and dilapidated stone barns which once gave shelter and warmth to both cattle, sheep and farmer, many now near collapsed, due to years of neglect and the ravages of the weather. These places hold countless memories for and of, many people over centuries. Those people were real, as were the livestock they looked after. Not only the people who worked the land, but also the many thousands of walkers and visitors who have visited the area.
The patch quilted scenery, like life, contains many seasonal changing aspects and yet also the steadfastness of the main physical features. The river, whose waters disappear into the underground limestone caverns during the summer and then reappear during the autumn rains and winter's snow. To be able contemplate these things is a wondrous aspect of this life journey. To be able to peacefully reflect on such things brings a great joy. This far exceeds the benefits of being able to remember every happening of the day or everything that has to be done. The frustrations and annoyance, due to lack of understanding, confusions and memory loss, verbal fluency etc, fade into insignificance as silent witness of the depth and beauty of lives past and present and creation are contemplated, helps to make journeying this way a "Good Life With Dementia"!
JSAFGA.
No comments:
Post a Comment