The universe came knocking.

It was disguised as a feeling of listlessness.

I recognized it and knew that action would appease it.      

I made some tea and sat down in front of my computer.

I watched my fingers tap dance across the keyboard,

leaving a chorus of words above them on the screen.

The title followed “The Fourth Quarter.”

And just like that, I knew we were done,and pressed save.

It was surreal.

I sat in the silence, in amazement and awe of the wonder and mystery of it all,

Nanaskoman (I am grateful)  

Shelley  

The Fourth Quarter

Jeff and I have officially arrived at a very special time and place.

The fourth quarter of our shared life journey.

The length of it, is unknown.

This quarter offers us a freedom from so many of our earlier life responsibilities.

Time, how we spend it, with whom, and on what, is ours to decide.

Messages from our aging bodies signal a “best before” date is on the horizon.

Everyday small things seem to present new challenges. 

Standing to put on shoes is a thing of the past.

Getting up from the floor involves a series of well planned movements with sound effects. 

Instructions have gotten smaller and now require a magnifying glass.  

It’s coming.

I’m not saying this as a warning.

Rather, to draw attention to the preciousness of this moment before us.

This part of our fourth quarter, feels like a window of grace.

A very special time that is granted to us.

So:

While our parts mostly work, 

while we have the freedom to live life in a way that agrees with us,   

while we have each other …

How will we use this window of grace?

Shelley 

December 2023