These prayer flags have been there since a few years now. I hung them on the tree for no particular reason, and they are visible from our backyard porch. Oftentimes I just look at them swaying with the wind, my mind would settle somehow and I’d have this calmness as if I could reclaim the strength I need to face this mad world..
The budding yellow flowers of Forsythia are always the first indication that spring is not far away.
Although I spent a large amount of time in Taiwan this winter, from what I’ve heard it has been a pretty mild winter. It definitely is not a complaint, but I for sure am looking forward for spring to come. Working in the garden is therapeutic for me, very much like taking a walk towards the end of the day..
In anticipation of tomorrow’s destructive strong winds, we decided to move our usual Sunday routine ahead of time by one day. My companion did his walk in the neighborhood and I my 5K run. After a shower, we went into town to have a somewhat late lunch at Iconik Red on Cerrillos Road. Upon arrival, there was Jazzy live music playing, which was a really pleasant surprise. My companion doesn’t care much about Jazz, but we stayed longer than usual because he knows that I do..
A large collection of stickers on one side of a utility box. Quite a few of them up there I actually recognize. Some of them voice the world we inhabit while many of others promote certain businesses. No surprise there. That’s the world we all live in.
My companion had a scheduled physical therapy this afternoon. After driving him there, I went for a walk in the neighborhood. It’s hard to miss the massive pink trees. Most of the cherry trees in the area have bloomed. It was wonderful being immersed in pink. The world was undeniably beautiful, at least for a moment..
This is one of my favorite spots in our neighborhood. I still remember that many years ago that when my companion and I went out for long walk together. This was the place where he was looking forward to. I’m sure he still makes a stop there and takes a break during his routine walk.
I can picture him sitting there, adjusting his breathing right now in my head..
It’s a mixed emotions I experienced the second this image was captured. I stood there for another brief moment before moving on. Before last June, I was so sure that this would be the place for us for the rest of our lives.
The road was clear. Unfortunately I couldn’t say the same for my head..
There was no signs of young budding leaves yet, but I did notice a few twigs accumulating in a newspaper box. A bird flew away in front of me right before I passed by the spot, which was what caught my attention. I looked into the box and captured this image. Different, but that for sure is a sign of Spring as well..
It was never planned. Oftentimes it was just a longer gaze into each other’s eyes. And I would sense immediately what’s on his mind. It happened again earlier today..
“What are you thinking?” Still, I’d ask.
“You know.. about the future..” my companion said, with a slight sadness in his eyes.
We’ve always known that it would be tough as we grow older together. But it doesn’t reduce the sense of helplessness and the senseless loneliness that we both feel. As always, instead of saying anything, I held him tight in my arms and breathed in his scent..
This is probably the nicest gift that I’ve ever received from a friend who is more like family. A cup that says, “i wish you lived next door”.
I was on my computer this morning and noticed that my companion has placed this cup right in front of the monitor. It put a smile on my face pretty much for the rest of the day..
