renovations
You who graduate
Who expect no less than six figures
Who partner
Buy a house
Birth your first child
Trade in your cars every three years
Birth another child
Get promoted
Renovate and sell
Buy another
You who expand, multiply, make more, spend more
Who winter in Mexico, Hawaii, or Costa Rica
Who summer at the family cabin
The exteriors improve and stack one on top of another
Until the kids have left the biggest house you've had to date
And it's time to downsize...
to a luxury condo
Your lives seem fast and busy and make me wonder if you are getting where you want to go.
I who graduated
Who got a job with benefits
Who partnered
Who was promoted but not financially compensated
Who worked to be worthy
I didn't realize this was off
Who got a dog
Who played
(I had become far too serious at a very young age)
Who explored and adventured
(on a small scale, nonetheless, but I was overdue)
Who lived here and there, not knowing where to land
Who eventually did buy a house
Who made repairs
Who added an extra bath
It’s been almost twenty years
We still need new windows and exterior paint
And now the initial renovations need renovating
Not only do the finances for this feel daunting
More importantly, I do believe I cannot do with the upheaval
My house is my sanctuary
I have wanted to leave this state and geography many times
But I cannot leave this house
Bigger and better for me takes up too much space
…in my head
I don't even want to be concerned about the ongoing maintenance required for two cars
There are no winter vacations to Mexico, Hawaii or Costa Rica
I have tried alternative versions of this but just feel uprooted
I finally found my roots
And even after almost twenty years, they still have not completely relaxed for fear they'll be uprooted
I just recently understood what nutrients my roots need
I paint. I read. I write.
My roots need more time to relax, stretch out, and swell with good food
I think that's the story behind this story:
initially, I lacked the proper nutrients
The interiors of my self are constantly evolving and being renovated
My life develops in private.
Your life develops in public.
And I think both should be honored with the same respect and credibility.
karimaxwell@mac.com
If you liked this post, you may also like:
Comments
Post a Comment