Uncle Bill was a gentle soul, reclusive and solitary. Occasionally, he would see me walking home from the library and invite me to join him for a dish of ice cream.
Sitting quietly at the marble bar in the local confectionery, he would reminisce about “The old country.”. I once asked how long since he had visited there.
He chuckled and said, “Never, but my Mother always remembered it.”.
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The day I married, Uncle Bill whispered as I left for the church, “I always thought you and I would visit “The Old Country” together.
Of course, that was not to be nor anything I ever yearned to do.
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However, today I find myself gazing back In my own wistful reminiscences of “The Old Country.”
Where and when I went weekly to a beauty salon and had my hair cut with expertise. This morning I trimmed it myself. (Please don’t ask how it looks:)
Where and when on the first Friday of the month, I lunched with interesting, cordial friends at the local Elks Club. We chatted, laughed and shared an occasional joke. I have just indulged in one of the frozen Peanut Butter Jelly Sandwiches discovered lurking in my fridge. (Yes, it was good, but I didn’t hear any jokes while lunching alone:).
Every Sunday in what was my “Old Country,” Will, my amazing Grandson, spent the day with me. We FACETIME religiously now, but I don’t feel the strength of his presence, the joy of his laughter, or the love he has for humanity. Admittedly, that is when I sense an acute pang of grief at the loss of my “Old Country.”
Sometimes in “The Old Country,” I indulged in a special treat, Croissants reminiscent of Paris, baked at Common Good, a local bakery. I would arrive and linger at the counter while absorbing the smell of butter, cinnamon and almond. I never hurried while making my choices, be they butter, chocolate or sometimes studded with raisins. Today in my new land, I ordered online for delivery. They will taste the same, but part of the indulgent adventure is missing.
Still like those who landed in Ellis Island long before my birth, I will hope and pray that my “New Country,” offers untold opportunity for surprising moments and possibly new adventures.
My ship has landed on the shores of a New Country and I must relinquish a time and place gone by.
It’s time to acknowledge I am now a citizen of a New Land and be grateful for what it will provide.
