{KK warm sun, overlay}
Gathering . . . doesn't it always seem that society, and our culture wants us to be illusioned
into feeling the need to gather things. Things that break, and need dusting. A bigger house and a bigger yard, mean more up keep, or money to pay someone else to do it. Things, that just suck away all of our time. Time we could be spending on gathering not things, but simply that of experience and memories and of time with each other.
I grew up close to my grandfather, who grew up in the great depression. They had to rent out their house and live in their garage to survive the times. You carry that with you later in your life, and as I grew up and spent time with him, I watched him use envelopes from the mail as notepaper for grocery lists, and mark the dates on can goods, etc. He didn't know it, but he was a recycler well before his time. I have carried some of that with me too, and once I have gathered something, it's much harder for me to ungather it. I am always thinking I may need it later.
But this image reminds me of what I want to gather in my life right now and that isn't trinkets for my home, or for a closet full of things I can't wear in this lifetime, or for things that make me a slave to time. I want to gather the simple moments of life like watching a butterfly lay eggs in the garden, or watching the sunrise, or feeling the sand beneath my feet and making memories with my family and friends. The things I want to gather now do not need the aid of a basket, just my presence.
Love, Kim
XO
P.S. - Today I am over at Focusing on life introducing our new theme for the month of October.
Come check it out, and join in on the fun in our flickr group for a chance to be the weekly InFocus
selection featured on our blog!
That is definitely something to think about : ) My grandparents grew up in the depression also. I am thankful for what they taught my parents.
ReplyDeleteAh, I found you Kim! And very glad I did too. Such an intriguing image (as well as a beautiful composition). It hints at so much but it was even more revealing to read the story of your grandfather and the wisdom you share about valuing the magic of life's small moments over the "stuff" others want us to buy.
ReplyDeletehello Kim, the field in which you are walking is so inviting... and timing can be everything... A dear friend of mine was talking about how our parents resourefullness tht they learned through the great depression.
ReplyDeleteKim what a beautiful post. I believe we sisters if the heart!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely post Kim, you always offer such thoughtful words and I for one need to think about "gathering" more time for the things that I truly enjoy. Thank you!!
ReplyDeleteWhat you say is so true, Kim ... we carry too much baggage in the way of material possessions. I find it's cluttering up my mind. As soon as the nice fall weather is over, I'm going through the house on a marathon closet cleaning/office cleaning mission.
ReplyDeleteThe photo is gorgeous ... could be in a magazine!
xo
Oh, your grandfather sounds so much like my Dad, whom I recently lost...Everything you have so beautifully said resonated with me! Such a wonderful post...and a lovely photo too!
ReplyDeleteHow beautifully put, Kim...yes, I would much prefer to gather memories instead of things. Your memories of your grandfather made me think of my own grandparents...he sounds like he was an amazing person. Thank you for sharing! Oh, and yes, you definitely need to get to your zoo - I know you'd take some fantastic pictures! :)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post from the wonderful photo to the well spoken words! Words that we all need to live by!We could all spend a lot less time gathering goods and spend that time gathering moments and memories!!
ReplyDeleteI love your perspective on life Kim. I am trying to aim my life in the same direction. Sometimes I get off course...but the journey is what counts, right?
ReplyDeleteBeautiful image and beautiful writing.
ReplyDeleteYour grandfather was an inspiration - you are a lucky girl to have had such a wonderful role model.
ReplyDeleteKim,
ReplyDeleteThis is so lovely! Yes...gathering moments of life that have meaning, that resonate with us. I appreciate the story of your grandfather as I, too, grew up with my grandparents close by and noticed their habits that were formed by the Great Depression. So many treasured memories..just what we need to gather.
I am finding more and more that the simplist moments have the most meaning.
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful picture and such a touching story!
ReplyDeleteThis is wonderful, Kim. It is a wondrous thing to learn things that no one really "teaches" us except by their example.
ReplyDeleteI have greatly simplified my Life in the past 6 years, at first without any intent and for awhile Now with a determined heart and spirit. It inspires me to read your post BEcause it underlies so much of what I think and feel and deeply BElieve is the only possible way for me to live a Life of substance and make a difference.
As I find this seeping in deeper I often think thoughts that never find their way to expression. It delights me to read them coming from you, with your words, your photography, and your good heart.
xoxo
Lovely post about what you learned from your grandfather.
ReplyDeleteThe photo is wonderful, too, warm and that depth of field!
Wishing you all the best,
Mary (from September Photo-Heart Connection)
I love this composition with the field and the basket with just bare legs showing! Such a charming capture!
ReplyDeleteI use & reuse envelopes too! :)
ReplyDeleteAlso, hard to get rid of things... Something I'm working on, too.
I like your photo, its very intresting and more I love your words its telling a story what brings a lot of memories. Thanks for that.
ReplyDeleteLove the photo, love its meaning, too. Really a job well done.
ReplyDeleteWhat a neat photo! And, an awesome post as well. I'm finding myself decluttering, along with buying much less. We spent yesterday at a festival, and while we did bring home some wine and food, we passed by all the "stuff," just enjoying ourselves and the day. Your grandfather has much to teach all of us.
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of gathering experiences! I feel the same way, I have spent too long gathering "things" and now gather experiences. And memories, in the form of my photographs! Thanks for sharing in the Photo-Heart Connection this month.
ReplyDelete