Things I Didn’t Understand

Things I didn’t understand ~

questions unanswered 

asking why of no use because 

the answer was ‘because’ 

But there were ideas

I just let float away 

ideas stacked around my life 

unopened books on shelves, 

unused dishes in cupboards. 

Ideas 

about designing gowns, 

about being a journalist, 

about being a linguist ~ 

too big for this little girl 

too far out of reach. 

What I did not understand were 

moods, emotions and 

how to understand others,

why I learned differently 

not as fast as others. 

But I filled expectations, 

like setting the table for a meal, 

practicing piano or 

getting cleaned up for church, 

going to school. 

I didn’t understand how to be, 

but I understood how to do. 

“Doing” carried me a long way

Today in retirement I can learn how to be. 

“No one will understand you. It is not ultimately that important, 

What is important is that you understand you.”

~ Matt Haig,  The Humans

A Conversation about Risk

You can’t - I did.

You daren’t - I dared.

You have no need to dream.

Dreaming opens possibilities.

School is too hard for you.

It took me longer, but I learned anyway.

No one will hire you.

I found someone who did.

You’ll never get a driver’s license.

I’ll never know till I learn the regulations.

No one will want to marry you.

The love of my life proposed.

You’ll never be able to raise children.

Together we raised a family.

Who will take care of you when you’re old.

I’m not old yet, but so far I’ve taken care of myself!

“If one is forever cautious, can one remain a human being?”

~ Aleksander Solzhenitsyn