Random Thoughts

It’s been a blur of a week. Despite the reason for the visit (funeral), I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Connecticut with my family. I heard stories of distant relatives that made me laugh and made me cry. I didn’t know that my grandmother who just passed was the first female allowed on the floor of Pratt and Whitney (a leading manufacturer of plane engines). I also didn’t know that during my parents wedding, my grandfather sobbed almost uncontrollably. He was so proud of his children and family; at one point, he leaned over to my grandma and commented that he was thinking about how happy his mother would be to see her grandkids. “She’d be so proud.” He told my grandma, “I”m not going to be like my father. I’m going to live to see my grandchildren.” Unfortunately, he passed less than 5 months later.

Retreating to New England every few years while growing up was a nice reprieve for me. Typically, it was the only time I ever read books for pleasure. In the fast paced world that surrounded me as a military child, it was one of the few constants. Several times last week, I thought to myself, “Hubs and I are really going to have to make an effort to continue our trips up here.” I forget how much I enjoy visiting until I make a trip.

One of the most enjoyable moments of the trip came on my last night there. My great Aunt Eileen hosted a small family reception at her house, which she built just behind my grandma’s house about 10 years ago. It’s an absolutely beautiful house. Eileen is an educator, a former college professor, a Master of Divinity, and a doctor of Philosophy. She has tirelessly studied religion and is a very, very well educated woman. In her house, she has a gorgeous master bedroom and several libraries. She also has a meditation room. My favorite, room, though is the small, comfy room in the corner on the main floor. It’s probably 10×12. It shares a wall with part of the living room. Within the wall is a very functional (read: hot) fireplace. The room has hardwood floors (as does the rest of the house, except the kitchen, which has a rubbery, lego looking gray flooring…it’s a green house, so I’m sure that accounts for the lego flooring somehow) and one wall is entirely bookshelved. The other 2 (non fireplace) walls each have a single window. The one window I could look out of from where I was sitting, looked into the woods. The room is very cozy and inviting. There are two oversized, faux leather chairs with a single oversized ottoman.

On the last night in town, I sat in one of the chairs and reflected. I could hear my family in the other room, laughing and carrying on about the upcoming Super Bowl. My Uncle Eddie, in particular, analyzing every possible scenario in which the Giants could pull off the win. He reminds me of Tim, a college friend that I’m sure has also exhaustively replayed various scenarios in his mind as to how the game could end with a Giants win (not that he’s a Giants fan, but he enjoys the analysis of such an important event). The heat from the fire kept me comfortably warm (although, my cousin’s husband, Doug, warned not to sit too close. He felt his pants were melting from the extreme heat. Seeing as he’s a firefighter, I took his word for it and didn’t edge too close to the flames). I glanced at the few books stacked on the table between the chairs…one was about poems from God and the others about religion, too.

My pulse was normal and my brain was calm. I didn’t think about work, or politics, or money, or work, or the economy, or menu planning. I just sat there. And enjoyed every single, thoughtless moment in my new favorite room. For a moment, the calm I enjoyed rivaled even the best moments I’ve had while cruising.

I flew back home Monday morning and despite my best efforts, have slowly fallen back into the hectic life. It’s ok, though. With chaos, I wouldn’t so much enjoy the Connecticut downtime.

Right now, I’m cleaning my parents house. They’re on a cruise as we speak and I’ve offered to declutter their house and reorganize it while they’re gone. I’m one day into my project and I’m already questioning my sanity. They have A LOT OF STUFF. But, I really enjoy doing this so I’m psyched and ready to go for day two.

I have a few hours of cleaning, then I’ll head over to Bennies for the big game.

Two Words:

GO GIANTS!

February 3rd, 2008 Posted by Jessica | Life | 3 comments