The Mist and the Fog

FD Thornton

With a steady breeze blowing through my office window. The ceiling fan hums quietly as  traffic passes in the distance. Far from the old farmhouse we once called home for the past ten years. The paint is still drying on the walls and wood vinyl veneer on the floor has yet to be stained. My eyes are tired due to the fog and the rain I drove through this morning, then having to drive back in the glaring afternoon sun. But I still appreciate the wind and the sun, it’s a far cry from motoring in the mist and the fog.

Life for me is drawing way closer to the end then the beginning anymore. Especially when you approach my age and health situation. As I have said, I have a strong supportive family behind me. But still I can’t help but miss the things I once found so easy to do. But living now four years beyond my extended  warranty comes with some risk. Much like that poor old Kia I drive with close to 194,000 miles on it. But we can still piddle around like a couple of old lions toothless, but still big roars. I silently listen to the wind as it blows along the back of the apartment. Carrying stories no one really wants to hear anymore.

While all my children have turned middle age I still think of them as kids. I guess that’s because my generation is too stubborn and crazy to think of them as anything else. I see them being too paranoid and careful. While my generation was the last to jump head deep into the water. But the mistakes we made we made, we all made on our own. But then again we were promised the moon only to have that dream erased by “trickle down promises”. So while my kids watch every penny, I’ve escaped to the mindset that money is just a thing. A tool to achieve the level of comfort to which I enjoy. Through the fog and the mist, I believe I see clearer then I ever have before. My wish is my children can one day see the same light and realize family and connection are more important than…fear.