I used to love the fable of
the tortoise and the hare when I was a child. The idea of
that little tortoise just plodding along at a measured pace. And that boastful hare just darting
around and using up all of its energy resources and ending up behind.
Over the years my husband
and I used to joke that we were definitely tortoise people. We loved to pull into our shell
and cozy up at home in times of stress.
We would chuckle at all the ‘hares’ running around using their financial
and energy resources for today’s moments with no regard for the challenges of
tomorrow.
And now as a widow I am
definitely more of a tortoise. I
pulled myself into that shell and allowed myself to grieve. Allowed myself to begin to heal. I came out upon occasion and when
the pain levels grew to be too much I would ‘shell up’ again.
Recently I feel myself
poking out of my shell and looking around with curiosity. What have I been missing? Lately it’s just been a view of lots of
snow. Brrrr! But spring is coming. And I am rested up. You’ll see me out and about at a reasonable
measured pace. No need to
get ahead of myself. I’ll
let those hares dart about me.
If I keep plodding along I’ll get to that finish line just fine.
