I’ve always loved mowing the grass.
Grass clippings.
Grass stains.
…and the smell!
I thought it was because it’s an accomplishable task.
All too often, those are hard to come by!
I thought it was because I could see my progress.
Don’t we all need those days?
I thought it was because it’s precious time outside.
Something I always need.
Always.
But it’s more than that.
It’s the time.
The time to think.
The time to ponder.
The time to remember.
Today – as I have every Spring for the past 6 years –
I thought of a friend from my childhood.
6 years ago, he stood on my yard – patchy from my (failed) attempts to rid it of stickers before we hosted the class reunion –
And teased me mercilessly about my landscaping skills.
I slugged him in the arm.
He wrapped me up in a hug.
And we laughed a laugh from across the years….
And a week later, he was gone.
Massive heart attack.
At 43….
Too young.
Too soon.
Too, too sad.
But somehow, someway,
Every time I mow the yard,
I remember only the good times.
The laughs,
The smiles,
The teasing….
I’ve always loved mowing the grass.
Grass clippings.
Grass stains.
The smell.
But, more than that,
The memories….
Then sings my soul….
The Blue Heron (Then Sings My Soul) 
We need those times that cause our memories to tumble out. For me it is washing dishes. I think about family gatherings and whom I’m missing. Lovely post once again.
Washing dishes always takes me to my Mammaw Rodeen’s kitchen….
Wow. This was moving. I was thinking about my memories cutting the grass and didn’t foresee that memory coming. Well done.
Thank you… I feel Rodney’s laughter in my heart every time I mow. ❤