Keeper.....a valuable lesson.

The author is unknown, but the lesson says it all.


I grew up in the ‘60's with practical parents. A mother, God love her, who washed aluminum foil after she cooked in it, then reused it again. She was the original recycle queen (before they had a name for it) and a father who was happier getting old shoes fixed, than buying new ones. Their marriage was good, their dreams were focused. Their best friends lived a waive away. I can see them now, Dad in trousers, tee shirt and a hat and Mom in a house dress. Dad had the lawn mower out and a dish towel around his neck. It was a time for fixing things, no matter what it was - a curtain rod, the kitchen radio, a cabinet, the screen door, the oven door or the hem of a dress. We fixed everything - all the things we keep. That was the way of life. At times, I remember it would drive me crazy. I would think, why can’t we (just once) be wasteful? All the fixing and renewing. But I realized that waste meant affluence. Throwing things away meant you knew that there’d always be more.


But then, one day, my mother died. On that clear summer’s night, in the hospital room, I was struck with the pain of learning that sometimes there isn’t any more. Sometimes, what we care about most gets all used up and goes away.......never to return. So while we have it, it’s best we love it and care for it and fix it when it’s broken and heal it when it’s sick. This holds true for all things like marriage, old cars, children with bad report cards, dog/cats with bad hips, aging parents and grandparents. We keep them because they are worth it and because we are worth it. Some things we keep, like a best friend that moved away or a classmate we grew up with. There are just some things in life that make life important, including the people we know who are special. And we tend to keep them close. I received this from someone who thinks that I am a keeper and so I’m sending it to you to remind you that you are a keeper too. Remember the keepers in your life because those you love (friends, siblings, parents, etc.), are like stars. You don’t always see them, but you know they are always there.

What’s your favorite time? Daytime or night-time?

Time: It’s a funny and strange thing. It ticks by. At time it flies by and other times it can seem to drag or take forever (like on a Friday when you are waiting to punch out at five o’clock and start the weekend) but it never stands still. It can heal wounds, can create apprehension or an excitement, bring a longing or make you wish that a moment in time could stand still or a feeling would last forever. Have you noticed throughout the day whether you are more productive (creative), more lazy or more energetic? Do you have a favorite time during the day?

Let’s explore how different times can affect people personally.

Some people are early risers. They may never need to set their alarm clock due to the internal clock within themselves. A majority of early risers like to get things done with as little distraction as possible like exercising (going for a run, bike ride), hitting the grocery store before the crowds, making a nice breakfast to enjoy or reading the newspaper. Early risers are independent, can brainstorm and usually are detailed oriented to come up with their best ideas or creativity in the morning - well, let’s say before noon. They are comfortable with themselves and can handle what fate throws their way.

Some people tend to awake in the morning around the same time on weekends, as well as weekdays. They can enjoy exercising or a workout anytime - in the morning or in the evening. There is no preference as long as they get it in there. May tend to get a second wind around 4 p.m. and have an array of interests. A majority of people who fall under this category are highly adaptable, energetic, are at times, both, introverted and extroverted and are not that easily put in a routine - tend to go with the flow of things and still manage to get things done.

Some people may feel their utmost best after lunch or in the afternoon. While some people feel as though they are ready for a nap during this time, the late afternooner’s are feeling alert, assertive and productive. A majority of people in this category are optimistic and talented and will forge ahead to overcome any obstacle thrown in their way or path and will go get, go after and achieve whatever their goal is.

Some people are just night owls. They love the night and feel most alive, attentive and alert during this time. They tend to toss and turn if they go to bed before midnight and tend to skip breakfast. Night owls tend to have a wit about them and are considered a people person. They are able and willing to shoot the breeze or converse with anyone. Night owls are very in touch with themselves and are not so opposed to someone else’s opinion or point of view. They also tend to have a zest for life about them and have an adventurous and artistic side.