Changes in the Air

Posted on by Miriam

It’s nearly winter in Melbourne but today, on the second day of May, I got an overwhelming urge to spring clean. 

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I felt something calling me to clear out clutter, to open up the windows (even though it’s cold outside) and let in the breeze.

There seem to be signs of change  all around me.

The clock that’s hung in our kitchen for 15 years, that our daughter crafted at kinder when she was three, has finally been taken down and relegated to the garage.

 It was such an imperfect clock with childish numbers misaligned and it was never easy to tell the time. I loved it.

To me it seemed somehow symbolic of the fact that time doesn’t really matter. Yet suddenly, as the years fly by, I realise it does.

It matters if we’re to make the most of what we have in our lives today.

I culled through an old cane basket, filled with old cards and paperwork. Travel papers relating to our Maldavian honeymoon were discarded, after nearly 25 years.

Old birthday cards were re-read and tossed, it was nice to reminisce and feel nostalgic but ultimately it’s what’s happening today that matters.

All the while I was listening to Ed Sheeran, feeling emotional and misty eyed.

So much is changing in my world.

Some days I feel as though I’m simply riding with the tide, not knowing which way it’s taking me. But maybe that’s the best way. There’s no point in fighting against it.

“Take me where you want. I’ll enjoy the ride.”

Then I went outside. I took my phone, snapping a few pictures of my garden, marvelling at the fact that everything has greened up so much, so quickly.

The grass is so long, the weeds are bigger than ever and I thought longingly for Lamby, my lawn mower extraordinare.

I picked some grass, as I do daily, to feed my daughter’s three guinea pigs. As I opened the door to their hutch I noticed Pandora lying flat and for a moment I thought she was asleep.

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But she wasn’t. She was still, already starting to cool, her little furry body lifeless. She’d died, presumably during the night, I’m not sure of what, perhaps old age.

I cried. My daughter (now living away from home) loved her pigs, and so did I.

I know some might think she’s just a rodent, but it’s amazing how attached we get to our pets. To us she was a squeaky little fur ball with a personality all of her own.

 I buried Pandora this afternoon, in the side garden, close to the grass she loved.

Change. It’s all around us. I felt it today, felt it in my bones, sure as I changed the clock, culled the cards and then found pretty Pandy lying in peace.

It’s inevitable, it’s part of life and although we can’t control the forces, we can control our thoughts and emotions.

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As May begins my wish is that, no matter what’s happening in our life, what struggles or internal battles we might be facing, that we can embrace whatever is before us.

Every thing that happens to us is a wake up call telling us to live life now. Not to look back, at least not for too long, or to put off things.

There’s no point in waiting. Pandy savoured the grass while it was green, it’s our turn to savour each day as it appears.

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As I looked out this afternoon, amid the greyness, there were slithers of blue. Amid all the uncertainty of life that’s what I choose to focus on.

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Yes, everything is changing but that’s the nature of the world.

As changeable as the clouds that passed overhead today.  One minute grey, the next silvery and fleeting moments of blue sky and dazzling sunshine.

May your clouds in May be lined with plenty of silver linings. 

Have a mindful and beautiful May.

Snjoopy go with the flow

140 thoughts on “Changes in the Air”

  2. I am so sorry to hear about Pandora Miriam, sending you snuggles and healing hugs my friend. Yes, change is certainly inevitable. I am still trying to get used to these darker evenings (stews and soups are certainly helping!) Much love to you and yours xx

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  5. Very nice post Miriam. You know what? I think the pressure of less time has improved your posts. They are, were always good. Now they are even better. Have a good week. Doesn’t de-cluttering feel good when we get it happening. Sorry about Pandora, we have a special spot for pigs too. x

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    1. What a nice thing to say Louise. You’re right about one thing, I definitely have less time to blog. unfortunately Hope all’s well with you. Have a good week yourself. xo

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  6. nice post. stay warm there. Spring is finally in the air here but then again this is central Minnesota and Lord only knows it could snow next week.

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  7. End of April and beginning of May only means one thing in my city: hot weather during the day but at least summer nights are pleasant, mainly thanks to the sea breeze.
    Sorry about to read about your beloved pet. It must have been tough for you and your family.

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  8. I do enjoy your posts Miriam, You always seem to find the right balance between personal and worldly. Just checking that you are OK? I’m sorry to hear about Pandora but you have convinced me I need to get on with decluttering, when I actually get to stay home for more than a few days in a row! Take care 🙂

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    1. Thanks Deb and thanks also for your PM the other day. I’m doing okay, some days are better than others but that’s life isn’t it? Good luck with the decluttering, it’s a good feeling once you start. Hugs xo

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  10. I’ve been doing some spring cleaning myself. It’s amazing how much STUFF I’ve accumulated in only 9 months! I have a couple bags of things to donate to the Opportunity Shop (proceeds of this thrift store help the local hospital) and as soon as I get a day that isn’t pouring with rain, I’ll drop them off.

    I am sorry to hear about Pandora. It’s always hard to lose a pet, no matter what it is. As a child, I remember being so upset when our hamster died.

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  12. Hi there Miriam 🙂

    Just hopping out of bed, and your post is the first my eyes were drawned to. And I realize just how my slipper thing spoke to you. Looks like we got ourselves boots from the same store 😉

    I am going through a thorough Spring cleaning of our home too. I understand how emotional it can be to toss aside things that have been reminders of good times passed, but too much of the past will eventually keep you from moving forward.

    I love the childish clock, and the interpretation you made of time, because of it. I think you are right… Time doesn’t matter, until you need every minute of it!

    Sorry to read about Pandora… She was a part of your family story, and brought her share of love, and it is always sad to say goodbye, even to a furball.

    Life is a series of little changes. I feel like you have important ones ahead of you. I know I do…

    *big hugs and warm thoughts* 🙂

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    1. Aw Cyranny, your words mean so much. I must tell you that I thought of your “slippers” post when I wrote this. In fact I came very close to linking to it (and I wish now I had) but I put it together so quickly and mostly from my phone, where it’s hard to insert the links. Anyway, yes, I’m sure there are parallels here.

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    2. Silly phone again. I hadn’t finished typing my message to you. I just wanted to say that yes, life is all about change and I wish you all the best with yours. Hugs and warmest wishes to you too. xo

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  13. As always, Miram, a lovely, poignant, and thought-provoking post. We really should spend more time savouring the grass whilst it’s green, enjoying our lives in the now, and making the most of the time we’re given. I’m sorry to hear of the loss of Pandy, but at least Pandy savoured her greens 🙂 I hope May brings that which you wish for.

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  16. So sorry to hear about Pandy. Every animal you share your life with is part of the family and I can understand it is sad to say goodbye. It is such a reminder to enjoy and make the most of every day xxx

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  17. Hi Miriam, this is a lovely post, I loved it, and very sorry to hear about Pandora, as for change I can assure you, life is now, every second, we have no idea of any changes this wonderful life has installed for us, we are all just so lucky to see that, spring, summer,autumn and winter sky, the blues the grey, and to feel that rain, wind and sunshine !! And of course all the love we can send around our world, take care xxx

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    1. What a beautiful comment Brooke and you’re so right, life is now and we are absolutely blessed to see every part of it. Thank you for your heartfelt words. xo

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  19. Two weeks ago I spring cleaned the house, especially the closets. There are a few items I wanted to keep but when I called up my son, he said without pause, “throw them out”. Ha. And so I gave 4 bags of stuff away. Life is about changing, evolving, passing on…it’s the inevitable. Much blessings to you and dear Pandora. xo

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    1. Thanks so much Bernice. I did the same with my 16yo’s stuff a while back. And I was surprised when he said much the same about many of his things. Seems it’s us that often holds onto stuff. Warmest wishes to you for a great month ahead. x

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  21. Whoa Miriam– after all you’ve gotten done– now I’m feeling guilty about sitting here this morning computer on my lap!! And– love love the cock!! thanks for being so good to share your thoughts with us… hugs!

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  22. Hi Miriam, you spring decluttering remind me that we have been talking about cleaning our garage. I hope we’ll do it soon. I’m so sorry for you loss of Pandy. Pets are precious part of the family. Thank you for your positive inspiration to see the silver lining beyond the grey clouds!

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  24. Aww, bless little Pandora. She most certainly was not just a rodent. She was a little being and she was loved. And how beautiful that she savoured the grass while it was green – a reminder for all of us to live each moment to its fullest, and to be present. Wonderful post, Miriam. ❤️

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  30. Hello dear Miriam,
    I loved this and could feel the emotion as you welled up. Mentioning Lamby, Pandora’s passing and your daughter living away… you’ve certainly experienced a lot of change in a short time. I know your positive attitude will see you through this round of change, because as you beautifully wrote, it’s inevitable and will always show up for us.
    A beautiful post my friend.
    Take care, hugs and all the best 💕💐

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  31. This post speaks to me, reminds me of lessons I am trying to learn, so Thankyou, for sharing your thoughts and feelings and positive message. Sometimes it is hard to be positive (I was pondering this on the drive home from work today) but the NEED to be so grows within all the time.
    Hugs for Pandy, losing a part of your family is hard. We used to have guinea pigs too – at one stage I had twenty because the 4 “girls” we had got pregnant by the one that wasn’t a girl! The babies are so cute, but blimey, they eat a lot of grass and hay!!
    Wishing you many silver linings and blue skies, this month and always.

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    1. Aw, what an awesome comment Claudette. Twenty? Blimey. Reminds me of when we left Pandy and Delta with a Guinea pig minder while we were on holidays a couple of years ago. We came home and a few months later Pandy suddenly got very fat and we thought she was sick but suddenly one morning we woke to four fur babes. 😏We couldn’t understand what had happened until the minder confessed that Pandy had escaped and had a rendezvous with a certain visiting male. Ah, the joys of owning piggies. Thanks for your warm wishes. Wishing you the same back.

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  32. I love this Miriam… ‘focus on the slithers of blue’ – yes how lovely and soon you will see a mass of blue sky, like the one I’m looking at this rare sunny day in Manchester… (rare only in the ‘actual’ weather as Manchester is known as a rainy City)… less rare in my heart Miriam.. Yes, we can fear change or embrace it. I used to fear it and now I’m excited by that feeling that ‘something beyond our control is blowing us in a new direction’… xxx

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    1. I feel that too Wendy. Now that the shock has subsided the feelings are being replaced by ones of relief and yes even excitement of what’s around the corner. Thank you my lovely friend. Big hugs to you and enjoy basking underneath that big blue sky. xo

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  33. ps – I am very sorry about Pandy though.. I had guinea pigs.. they were never ‘just rodents’… I loved those demanding little squeaks and you’re right – they each had their own personality!… It’s certainly a period of letting go for you Miri… creating space for positive energy to arrive one way or another.. xxx

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  35. It takes courage to part with all memories. I know you will not get rid of that genius clock, and you shouldn’t. It is Spring here and I skipped my cleaning. Sending you some of the warmth to ease your entrance into winter.

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  36. Oh, Miriam, I’m so sorry about Pandora! Losing a loved pet is so hard, and our grief over them is deep and profound.
    And I agree that as we age, our sense of time changes. It moves so much faster now, and that does make us realize that we need to treasure and make the most of each moment we have. Animals are great examples of that philosophy, aren’t they? I’ll be thinking of you…

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  37. Oh no, so sad about Pandora. This is such a beautiful, emotional post. I can feel it in your words. I love your daughter’s clock and what you said about time not mattering, but it does matter. We should live our lives like it does matter. Change is definitely the only constant in our lives! Take care Miriam xx

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    1. You’re so right Jenny, change is the only constant in our lives. I just wish sometimes it would slow gown a bit. But I guess all we can do is go with it hey? Thanks for your lovely words here. xo

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      1. Yes, we have no choice, so we need to make the very best of it, of each phase of life. I wish time would slow down too! Our youngest is graduating college in a few weeks, and it’s so hard to believe. Bittersweet. xo

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        2. That’s right. I really try to be mindful of that, instead of dwelling too much on what used to be. Sometimes I find myself jealous of my nieces, because they’re at the point with their little kids that I loved so very much. Each phase is special, and I must embrace that. But when did they get so big?? lol 🙂

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  38. Beautiful Miriam. Yes life is always filled with change. For you, it is the kids growing up and your daughter moving away. I am certain I will feel very similar when that happens to me. And the loss of pets is always hard and a reminder of how precious life is. Xoxo

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  40. Oh I’m so sorry to hear about Pandy! How sad for you to find her that way. I’m sure she had the most spectacular life living with all of you and her green grass. Boy were you sensing change or what…little did you know what tomorrow was holding for you. Freedom. A chance to embrace life again and not fret each day. Yes, focus on the blue skies and silver linings and you find more and more will come your way. The past only brought us to where we are now, it’s where we want to go that we need to focus on. “Take me where you want. I’ll enjoy the ride.” Perfect mantra. Big warm hugs & kisses xo

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    1. Thanks Deb, yes it was sad but it’s kind of been the way this week. But she did have a good life so that’s something.
      Yes, change is all around and I’m just going with it. There’s no point fighting it. What will be will be. Now it’s all about looking ahead as you said. It’s really all any of us can do isn’t it? Sending you lots of blue skies and sunshine lovely lady. And big hugs and kisses. xo

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      1. Yup, I’m on week two of being happy no matter what, and it’s truly amazing the difference it has made. Oh get this, so I was thinking boy I haven’t heard a lot of Rhiana on the radio and then that’s all I was hearing so I laughed and said ok Universe I want to hear Taylor Swift, so now I keep hearing Taylor Swift. I did a few other little tests of the Universe and what I asked for i received, so I’ll keep practicing and work my way to bigger and bigger things. Thanks for the blue skies and sunshine, basking in them right now. Sending you job offer after job offer along with hugs and kisses. I’m off to sleep now, chat later xo 😚

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        1. Oh, I love that! You’re truly manifesting all your desires, even musical ones, how awesome. Sleep well lovely lady and sweet dreams. Chat tomorrow. xo 😴

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  41. Quite an emotive post! You showed us how changes occur and that indeed, change is inevitable. Seasons change. Alas, Death happens. Children grow. And the grey moments of life… but hope lives! Wow! All in one post. I must say that you’ve got the power to captivate your reader with your powerful narratives. I was glued all through. Yes, Miriam, always, always, your posts are beautiful and so is your heart too. Much love! Xo

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  42. So sorry to hear about Pandora, Miriam. I agree, pets are so very much a part of the family and our lives, especially when they have been with us since a very early stage of their lives. I’ve always hated change, yet the seasons change and I barely notice that much is different. I suppose it’s how we view how those changes are affecting us? I’ve always found decluttering such a great mood lifter. Dare I say, it’s a bit like when I give the house a good clean. It always feels so much better after finishing the job.

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    1. Thanks so much Hugh, I can tell you understand how hard it is to lose a pet. Change is inevitable isn’t it,,yet as you say, sometimes within the seasons they come and go that we barely notice the difference. Decluttering is indeed therapeutic and feels good. Need to do a bit more still. Have a great weekend. 🙂

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  43. Pingback: Displaying Precious Artwork | frugalfish

  46. You write like a song dear Miriam! I love the thoughts behind this article as well. So much to ponder about. Sorry about Pandora:(… Change is unstoppable. The faster one makes up their minds, the better . But it’s better said than done for me:)

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  50. Miriam, I especially liked this post. It is full of authenticity, emotional acceptance, and embracing change. Change is indeed part of life and the more we can great it with open arms, the easier it is to move through the pain that often accompanies it. Thank you for the inspiration.

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