Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Another Sunset


I need to recharge my batteries.  I am not up to par so will just add this bit of fluff until I am able to post on an interesting subject.  



I am in what is termed the 'sunset' of my life.  Perhaps that is why I am fascinated with sunsets.  We have been having lovely ones nearly every night and I am drawn outside when I notice something like the lone pink cloud floating above the others.  (See photo at the bottom of the page.)



The cloud may appear to be lonesome, but it is getting all the glory of the sun's rays while the clouds below are dark and ominous.  I see it as a metaphor for life.  The dark days are overcome by rising above them.


I have been spending much of my time reminiscing about the past.  It all started with a dream.  I was back in Colorado in my childhood home and my mother was giving me advice.  In reality, this is something she rarely did.  She had a wonderful way of getting her point across.  I will tell you a story to illustrate that.


When I was a Senior in High School my step sister (2 years younger than I) and I had friends who lived across the street.  They had moved to Colorado Springs a few months before we met them.   Their parents left the sisters and younger brother alone for days at a time to return to their old home residence in another town.  I don't know why the parents went back to their old home so often - perhaps business. Their absence left the girls free to do as they wished.   Naturally, this meant that they did things they wouldn't do if their parents were there to supervise.  The girls had access to a car when their parents were gone and this was a rare thing for teenagers in my time.



They were the same age as my SS and me so it was a good fit.  And their access to wheels was an irresistible temptation to make friends with them.  That sounds rather mercenary, but being self absorbed and selfish is a teenage failing. 


The sisters smoked and my SS, who spent more time with them than I did, took up the habit.


One day I joined them for a ride and, since they were all smoking.   I didn't want to be left out so I tried to smoke a cigarette.  When I got home my mother was sewing and I leaned down to kiss her.  She looked up at me and said, "Darlene, I thought you were different."  End of lecture, but it was powerful.  I never joined the girls again in their smelly habit.  The point was well taken and I learned that you can't hide from your mother's nose.


And now, back to another sunset and the time of day for nostalgia.


 
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10 comments:

Chancy said...

beautiful sunsets Darlene

joared said...

That's a good way to look at the ups and downs of life.

Your mother's way was much more powerful than any lecture, I'm sure.

I've always loved sunsets and likely always will, so I especially like your photos.

kenju said...

I wish I had listened to my mom when she told me not to smoke.

Rummuser said...

My mom did too. No use though! All the role models were smokers. All film heroes, smoked. One was considered to be a sissy if one did not smoke, blah blah, I am a smoker. I still do, but you will laugh at the number - may be one cigarette in ten days or so.

Darlene said...

*Chancy - Thank you, but I have to give mother nature the credit.

*Joared - Yes, my mother's psychology was much better than a lecture. It kept me from smoking until I became engaged years later. Unfortunately, I wanted to do everything my fiancee did and he was a heavy smoker so I started smoking then.

*Kenju - I wish I had not ignored her clever guilt trip later on.

*Rummuser - See my answer to Joared. I did start smoking about five years later, but was a very light smoker. Fortunately, I quit after about 12 years and have never touched a cigarette again.

Looking to the Stars said...

Darlene, beautiful sunsets and beautiful words to go with them.

What was your dream about? I'll share mine if you share yours :)

Rain Trueax said...

Beautiful sky and your mother was wiser than many for how she got her point across.

Darlene said...

*Looking to the Stars - I'm afraid my dream was not very exciting. I was in charge of preparing food for a large crowd and my Mom was telling me how to entertain. Now what was yours?

*Rain - I think so, too.

One Woman's Journey - a journal being written from Woodhaven - her cottage in the woods. said...

Darlene - beautiful sunsets. Your mother was wise. Few words are the best, but sometimes we do not do that. I am trying - at this time of life - to listen more and not give advice unless I am asked.
I have times that I travel to the past. Sometimes I do not like taking that trip!!!

Hattie said...

I try to lead by example. ;)