Life is filled with firsts and lasts. Most people commemorate firsts with great fanfare, knowing their significance in the moment. We seldom realize that a last is occurring until after the fact - usually not until LONG after the fact.
Most of us can recall our first crush, first date, first kiss, first concert, first car, first airplane ride.....
Most parents remember in great detail their first pregnancy, that baby's first smile, first tooth, first steps, etc.
Do you remember your last first date? Your last time to attend Bible School? Your last high school ballgame?
How about the last time your child sat in your lap? The last time you sat in YOUR parent's lap? Or the last time you sang silly songs in the car with your siblings? Or the last time your whole family of origin was together as a unit? Do you remember the last time you sat and talked to your father? The last time you visited your grandparents? How about the last time you got a lollipop for being good at the doctor's office?
Did I know at the time that when I hung up the phone that day it was the last time I'd ever talk to my sister on this earth? Do you know that yesterday was the last time you would pick up your child in your arms? Are you aware when your teenager asks for advice that this is the last time you'll advise her? Do we know as we drive away from a gathering of friends and family that we'll never be in a gathering with exactly that same group again? Do we know when the last time was that you ate a piece of cake made by your mother? Or the last time she made you a birthday cake? Do you remember the last time you held your Mother's hand to cross the road? Or your child's?
I just finished an activity I know to be a "last time." I hemmed a garment for the last time today. I have hemmed hundreds of garments since I first learned to sew as a pre-teen. Today, at age 81 1/2 I hemmed my last garment. Since my retinal stroke a year ago, my near focus needing eye-hand coordination is severely handicapped. Also the arthritis in my hands has progressed very rapidly in the last few years. I cannot focus well enough and I do not have the manual dexterity any more to be able to hem a garment.
More later - just first thoughts on this topic....
3 comments:
From Janice
This is a very poignant article! It’s hard to handle emotionally. I read through your list of possible last times twice. It’s a great list!
There are so many last times these days, but this one I know is hard because using our eyes is something we hardly think about. I actually so remember some of the last times you listed here. Thanks for the memories.
Thanks,Jan and Norma, for your comments. I really just wanted to get these thoughts down somewhere. I hope to actually write on this topic soon. It's not that I ever had any particular fondness for hemming; but I was always glad that it was a skill I possessed and one that is often helpful.
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