“For last year’s words belong to last year’s language. And next year’s words await another voice. And to make an end is to make a beginning.” ― T.S. Eliot

Everything has a beginning, but not everything gets to start again. Today, my mother’s afghan is starting over – making its new beginning.

Mom crocheted the afghan years before I was born. She kept it on the back of our living room sofa, always ready for use. There were never any, “Do Not Touch” signs in mom’s house. She was way too practical for that.

So use it we did. My dad would take his Sunday afternoon nap under its loving warmth. I would use it on days when I was sick and couldn’t go to school.

Today, the simple frame is worth more than the painting’s original purchase price at S. S. Kresge right after WWII.

I’d try to study, but even under her wonderful afghan it was hard to concentrate on my school work, so I spent most of the time looking at a painting over the fireplace. I watched this painting a lot from that sofa in those pre-TV days. The image transported me to a romantic village somewhere in Scotland.I could find more happiness in its small village than on my sick bed.

Brownie had grown up with me, so she knew how to find her way under mom’s afghan. I’d dream of the two of us making our way through the village, then down to the river where we’d catch some trout for dinner. Just a boy and his dog.

I never want to forget that sick boy, curled up with his dog, protected under his mother’s blanket. All the while dreaming of their adventures together in a far away village.

So today I’ve made the choice to bring the afghan down from the attic, joining mom’s painting. This way, Louisa and I can start our own fresh dreams of the village.

All together in our touch me please home because things are meant to be used, or be let go of. It’s making the right choice that’s important.

What else should I bring out? Maybe an old hobby or some abandoned dreams?

The best thing I could bring out would be old friends. I’ve kept some put away – for way too long.

What about you? What things are you saving? Shouldn’t you get them out, especially if they’re priceless?

What “Do Not Touch” signs surround you?

As always, the conversation starts here.

“In the ordinary choices of every day we begin to change the direction of our lives.” – Eknath Easwaran

Epilogue

Atmosphere is the name of this hip hop duo from Minneapolis.

Stay for the end. It surprised me.