The Grassy Path
They say the grass is always greener on the other side, but does this really matter?
Every day someone’s lunch looks better than mine. Every day someone goes shopping while I am at the gym. And every day someone watches TV while I pack my cooler for the next day.
There are moments of every day that some has greener grass than me. But what good is a yard if you can’t play in it?
My former mother-in-law shares a backyard with her daughter. Through years and years of little feet, a path had been worn between the two back doors. And try as she might, Mema could not get the grass to grow on this path. The grass was green and beautiful save for this one trail from doorway to doorway. And it drove her CRAZY!
Years passed. Kids grew. And that path got smaller. A teenager does not have the same haphazard way of running from door to door as a small child.
And then those kids left. One by one. And where that path used to be was now a brightly colored swath of green. Amazing really how fast that grass grew in. Almost as if those feet had never walked that path.
The grass was now officially greener, and we were all sad.
That green grass signified the absence of little feet. Precious little feet that ran freely back and forth and giggled when they saw the path they had made. The path that led them to the place where there was love.
But one by one those kids who left had kids of their own. One even had triplets. And three little tandem set of prints makes an awfully wide path.
But this time no one complains.
Yes, indeed, the grass in sometimes greener on the other side.
But every day when I wear my same path down by packing my cooler and going to the gym, I am creating a yard that my family can play in.
I am creating a mom who is happy and healthy and able to enjoy the other 22 hours of my day that my healthy habits do not encompass.
I am creating the future grandma who will be able to out run, out climb, and outlast her grandkids.
I am making a path from one door to the next where years of little feet will make paths to my back door.
And I don’t care if the grass is greener as long as I can play in what is there.
August 26, 2008 at 4:24 am
Your blogs really are the best! I wish I knew a few people who think like you. When I read your blogs I feel a sense of calmness come over me. Are you always this way? I find I often have limited moments of clarity & peacefulness, especially when I’m rushing around. Anyway, thanks for writing!
August 26, 2008 at 4:37 am
The timing of this entry is just uncanny, almost spooky, in regards to some things that have just recently come to be an issue with me. Its amazing to think that what could easily be viewed as the pinnacle of narcissism is also the exact opposite of that vantage as far as its impact on those around you & the future. In other words, by focusing intensely on one’s literal self we indirectly change others, typically for the better.
Thanks for helping me to clarify my thoughts a little more!
August 26, 2008 at 5:57 am
I will have to agree with the masses. Your Blogs (esp. this one) are awesome. You put such depth and detail that one can actually close their eyes and see what you describe. Amazing! This blog also directly correlates with some stuff that is going on in my life right now…I wish I had some control over it! Matter of fact, I told someone last night that the grass is not always greener on the other side.
August 26, 2008 at 9:11 am
Mwah, love you beautifully spirited lady!!
August 26, 2008 at 10:09 am
babe, you should be published. You writing is incredibily poignant and touching.
September 5, 2008 at 6:57 am
1aI’ll thingk about it.9o I compleatly agree with last post. mkw
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September 5, 2008 at 12:49 pm
You are a fantastic writer and have a wonderful soul! Thank you for your gifts! You are very motivating!
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