The end or the beginning

The potted herbs wilt on the shelf in the breakfast nook.  Dust drifts from room to room as the house slowly empties.

Fourteen hours after the day started, my muscles ache even though I barely carried anything.  My office has been dismantled.  Files now sit in a borrowed space in Independence.  Furniture has been deposited into a basement room.  Every nook and cranny of my car holds the flotsam and jetsam that remains after decades of law practice finds its way to the end, or to the beginning of whatever lies ahead.

I’ve given thanks.  I’ve settled the dog in her foster home.  I’ve lost my breath as my son walked around, looking at the dwindling piles of his childhood memories.  I’ve hugged my sister, who hates to fly and might never come to visit me on my Pacific.  I’ve closed boxes, and counted envelopes, and shredded copies of old letters that probably no one ever read.

It’s difficult to pinpoint the exact moment when this wild plan crystallized for me.  Scroll through every meme on social media about the woman who finds her own path.  Those thimbles full of potential irresistably beckoned me.  Perhaps I’m in the wrong era of my life for this momentous change.  Nonetheless, I’ve taken one more step towards tomorrow, and I have no regret.

It’s the twenty-sixth day of the forty-seventh month of My Year Without Complaining.  Life continues.

 

6 thoughts on “The end or the beginning

    1. ccorleyjd365 Post author

      I described you to my sister Joyce as “my number one fan”. She took exception! But it’s true. Thank you for your support. I am humbled.

      Reply
  1. Anne Orso

    I’m feeling it all over again. As you know, Corrine, a little over one year ago I left the place I’d lived for 62 years and moved (only) eight hours away. The lightness of being purging “things” was amazing. Purposefully choosing like-minded friends is so fun at this age. I love the new experiences and being choosey about organizations I want to be involved in here. But I really, really miss certain people and there is no denying that. So funny…I would sometimes wake in the morning initially and think to myself “What the hell did I DO!?” Then I’d focus on gratefulness, get up and on with my day, and all was well. There is so much good and not so good about choices, but I always want to focus on the good and be grateful. I’m intrigued by your posts and writings, so keep them coming. Love to you.

    Reply
    1. ccorleyjd365 Post author

      Anne, thank you so much for these insights. Kinship. . .Keep reading, because your comments inspire me!

      Reply
  2. Linda Overton

    I think the same as the others who commented. Your posts are inspiring, sometimes funny always to the point without a lot of unnecessary verbiage.

    Reply

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