As I was putting things away in the pantry this evening, I was washed over with the memory of Oma's schnitzel. Everything about it was delicious to me; the colour, the taste, texture, familiarity. It was good hot or cold. As her and Opa's health was declining--when they still lived in the house at 53 Nagel Avenue--I made darn sure to study the technique to I could in fact make schnitzel just like her. And I think I mastered it.
Today, my little family went to see her, as we do every single Wednesday. Now, she resides at The Redwoods Retirement Residence where she does not cook a one meal.. She simply catches the elevator to the dining room and is served three times a day. How convenient! But this brought me back to a thought I have linger from time to time. Maybe you have too?
I wonder when the last time I ate Oma's schnitzel was...and I didn't even know it. If I had a time machine and I could set it for that particular meal, what would it look like--who were WE? I can pose a guess as to when it was but certainly I do not recall the very last time. Isn't that funny? So many things happen for the last time in our life and we are not even aware of it. And sometimes they're monumental--often times not, but sometimes really quite meaningful.
In reflection, we get so sad at KNOWING the last time we'll experience something. Oh how I cried when it was the last time I knew I'd ever see Opa! Or pausing knowing it was the last time I would brush my teeth as an unmarried woman. We acknowledge the obvious.
The last time I saw you and didn't know I'd never see you again.
Isn't it curious?
The LAST time I saw you and DID NOT KNOW I'd NEVER see you again.
I think it's likely a very good thing we don't reflect on so many circumstances that they may be the LAST of those experiences. Can you imagine how sad we'd all be? Better to fumble through life with our variety of emotions and then pause with quiet reflection.
What was the very last class I taught? And I didn't even know I'd never do it again.
When was the last time I swaddled my baby?
When was the last time we said, see you later? And we didn't. Not because somebody died, but because life happened.
Things that become so everyday so easily, and then so simply slip out of life.
We unknowingly take part in the normalcy of something ending, and don't even realize it.
In the end, as sad as it can make me that these parts of my life are done and never to return, I am so humbly grateful for each and every experience.
Today, my little family went to see her, as we do every single Wednesday. Now, she resides at The Redwoods Retirement Residence where she does not cook a one meal.. She simply catches the elevator to the dining room and is served three times a day. How convenient! But this brought me back to a thought I have linger from time to time. Maybe you have too?
I wonder when the last time I ate Oma's schnitzel was...and I didn't even know it. If I had a time machine and I could set it for that particular meal, what would it look like--who were WE? I can pose a guess as to when it was but certainly I do not recall the very last time. Isn't that funny? So many things happen for the last time in our life and we are not even aware of it. And sometimes they're monumental--often times not, but sometimes really quite meaningful.
In reflection, we get so sad at KNOWING the last time we'll experience something. Oh how I cried when it was the last time I knew I'd ever see Opa! Or pausing knowing it was the last time I would brush my teeth as an unmarried woman. We acknowledge the obvious.
The last time I saw you and didn't know I'd never see you again.
Isn't it curious?
The LAST time I saw you and DID NOT KNOW I'd NEVER see you again.
I think it's likely a very good thing we don't reflect on so many circumstances that they may be the LAST of those experiences. Can you imagine how sad we'd all be? Better to fumble through life with our variety of emotions and then pause with quiet reflection.
What was the very last class I taught? And I didn't even know I'd never do it again.
When was the last time I swaddled my baby?
When was the last time we said, see you later? And we didn't. Not because somebody died, but because life happened.
Things that become so everyday so easily, and then so simply slip out of life.
We unknowingly take part in the normalcy of something ending, and don't even realize it.
In the end, as sad as it can make me that these parts of my life are done and never to return, I am so humbly grateful for each and every experience.
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