Every day I make a point of talking to Mr. A to see how he is faring. Now, instead of bemoaning his losses, he is starting to look forward to the changes.
I thought about this as I examined the progress on his home. It has went from a mountain of rubble to a blank slate that is changing with each passing day.
When I come home from these visits I’m struck by the contrast of a man who loves stuff but has none to the woman who dislikes stuff but has so much. That is when it struck me: I envy him.
I envy the fact that he has the opportunity to start over with a clean slate. I envy the fact that, when the time comes to choose his new possessions that he won’t be burdened with providing for the needs of others in his choices.
I envy his open spaces.
Mr. A has made me realize that my minimal home is not as minimal as I would like it to be. He has made me realize that I have traded minimalism and simplicity for frugality in several areas of my life. He has shown me that no matter how far I think I’ve come that there is still a long path ahead of me.
I’m rather uncomfortable at this epiphany and I’m not sure how to handle it. For now I’m just going to mull it over and focus on what is really important right now: helping my friend get back on his feet.
I want to thank each and every one of you who have donated to Mr. A. You are absolute angels! He will be so surprised! Thank you thank you THANK YOU!
3 Comments
Since my house burnt down,
I now own a better view
Of the rising moon.
Basho
PS, I feel your pain- I, too, am not as minimal as I’d like
Very few of us are as minimal as we would like to be, myself included. I’m sure Mr A. appreciates your visits more than you know.
Annie, thank you for your honest & straightforward posts! You are an encouragement to lots of people. You have to remember that when you have kids, their needs are always a consideration. We parents are never going to be as free to minimize or anything else as someone who doesn’t have kids! That’s just how it is. They don’t have the burden to consider, but they also don’t have the joy. No matter how far we’ve come, there is always room for improvement. Recognizing this is just one more step in the growth process. Keep up the good work. I enjoy your willingness to bare your soul. I have been working on minimizing too & look forward to your posts.