Important things

I've established already that our office is moving. I've started packing non-essentials. I find it amusing looking around my area and seeing what I consider as "important." There are things I won't do without until we really have to go.

There are my crystals on my computer....quartz, jasper, merlinite, Apache tears, the tip off of a broken magic wand...my protection against a hostile work environment! I can't put those in a box until the very last, and I think I'll probably pop those in my purse so they don't get lost. There is a picture I drew years ago while under the tutelage of my first art teacher. It's mediocre in my opinion, but everyone seems to like it and it does bring me some sort of comfort so I keep it there. Obviously, if it's still on the wall either the picture itself brings me some peace or I am just reluctant to take it down because then I will be looking at a bare wall all day...a vivid reminder of this dreaded move.

Then there is my Don Quixote statue that my old boss, Peter, gave me me one Christmas years ago. It reminds me of fun times and of people I do not have the pleasure of seeing everyday anymore. We've had some great fun here. Despite what some people think, you can enjoy your co-workers company AND get your work done everyday.

Then there are some photos that I refuse to put away until the very last. I wonder how telling their presence is. There is a photo on my desk of my son and I on his first day at his college campus in New York City. I was petrified to leave him, yet so proud of him at the same time. We were on his balcony and I don't think you can see even a trace of fear on my face. I think I did fairly well, even though I cried when he hugged me goodbye. A mother is entitled to cry, just a bit under such circumstances.

There is a post card of the Canadian flag. I feel connected to Canada. I assume it's due to my birth mother being French Canadian. Just a guess...

There is a photo of my mother and the great love of her life, Tony. He died in a car crash years ago, and she still carries a photo of him in her wallet. I found this at her house and I guess it reminds me of the life she could have had, if he had lived. She looked so young and happy. I like seeing her like that.

I love looking up and seeing a picture of my husband with our dog on a hunting trip. They both look excited and eager and it's one of my favorite pictures. I think of the promise of the day as they were just starting out, rested and energized. I like that.

There is a picture of my son and daughter on the day he was leaving for college after Christmas vacation. You can't see their faces, they are hugging. It is the sweetest picture I have and one of my favorites. It says more than 2 smiling faces ever could. It is priceless.

There is a picture of my grandfather, Philip sitting in our backyard wearing what I considered to be his only outfit because in every dream I have ever had of him since he passed away, he was wearing this outfit. He was awesome. He liked me. He was one of the few people that actually made me feel that way when I was young. Love is great, but feeling liked is so much more pleasing.

Then there is the picture of my father smiling with his arm around me. It is a favorite, also. Our relationship was less than comfortable most of the time, but I find solace in this particular photo for some reason. I keep it in my wallet and it's still on my cork board. Memories of him bring up so much pain, yet I find peace in this picture. Maybe it's because for that one moment, I felt loved by him. The camera caught a moment of joy between us. I can appreciate that.

There is a copy of a sketch by my favorite artist, Charles Burchfield. I aspire to reach his level of skill. I like to see his work nearby. It makes me feel like I have a life outside of this place where creativity isn't always welcome.

I see a photo of my son's high school graduation. Peter, Sean, Sean....and me, the proud mom of them all. They have become a part of our family and this picture reminds me of how fortunate I am. I am so proud of them. They are all growing up to be fine young men, all very focused and moving forward in positive ways. They may stumble along the way, as we all did, but they are doing just fine.

Then there is Ken and my daughter. Ken is one of the most unique young men I have had the pleasure to meet. He is eclectic and precocious and full of life. My daughter adores him. You can't get much higher a recommendation than that! His patience with her is boundless and as a parent, you can't ask for more. I am so happy that my daughter has such a fine young man to look up to as she grows up. Watching someone be so kind to your child leaves you not knowing how to express your gratitude. He doesn't have to go out of his way for a little girl...he just does. I don't know if Ken realizes how special he is. Hey, Ken...you listening? YOU'RE SPECIAL!

Last but not least is a photo I took at a local cemetery. It's one of the most beautiful places in the world, and it's right up the road. We are so fortunate to have a place of peace and beauty in our city like this. The statue is incredible. I will try to post it here, if I can figure out how! It's one of my favorites and again, pleases me, so I keep it nearby. It reminds me of many things, one of which is that this place where I spend 8 hours a day isn't the beginning or the end of things. There is so much more out there.

I guess that's why we keep pictures of places and special people around us. It reminds us that we aren't alone. It lets us know our job isn't the be all and end all, it's just a place where we hang out long enough to collect our pay! There is so much more to us than our job title. If there isn't, then we're doing something wrong.