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Nonchalance

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Way back on Monday, Lisa hosted Prosery on dVerse.  We are to use the following chosen line from a poem in a piece of prose, not more than 144 words.  The rule is that we cannot insert any words within the quote but we are allowed to change the punctuation.  It’s one of my favourite of the dVerse challenges.

On this day without a date,
On a back street, dusky
— Charles Simic, from My Friend Someone

Over time, we become used to certain things.  Big. Little.  Some don’t even warrant a glance, never mind a thought.  We take them for granted.  Is it human nature to do so?  What, for many, in the beginning, thrilled us to have someone else do, we now expect. When do we become so nonchalant about our circumstances that we no longer pay attention and appreciate the little everyday things that are done for us?  It just is.  And then one day it isn’t.

Today, on this day without a date, on a back street, dusky, and away from the madding crowd, I ponder as I stroll.  My to-do list is ever lengthening and now, too late, I realise I didn’t express my appreciation enough.

With each task I accomplish, once done by another, I feel pride mixed with sorrow, and not a little remorse.

Before
After

*One of the many things I have had to learn to do… 

97 thoughts on “Nonchalance”

    • I thank you, Timothy. Sometimes it takes me two tries but I do figure it out.
      Glad you do! I was rather proud to not only put up the canopy but the lights and set up the solar panel!

      Liked by 1 person

  6. Dale, I don’t believe there is a person alive who hasn’t benefited from the kindness and thoughtfulness of others and taken it for granted time and time again.

    A change in our life often requires us to now do things for ourselves. And we do. But it’s never too late to express our appreciation, if not in person, then in our prayers.

    Your words will resonate with everyone who reads them, including me. Beautifully done.
    Ginger

    Liked by 2 people

    • I think you are right, Ginger. We are all “guilty” at one time or another.

      Yes, a change forces our hand. And, really, it’s not all a bad thing. I did appreciate all that Mick did – and he did A LOT. He did it all with a smile, to boot.

      Thank you, so much, my lovely friend. xo

      Liked by 1 person

    • We are all guilty at one point or another!
      And yes. I can do way more things I ever thought. Hanging pictures in very high entrance? Check! Scared the bejeezus out of me but I did it…

      Liked by 2 people

  11. “With each task I accomplish, once done by another, I feel pride mixed with sorrow, and not a little remorse.” Oh, this really tugged at my heart, Dale. You should be proud of what you’ve been able to accomplish, but, yeah, there’s the sorrow and the wish that we had said, “thank you” more often.

    Liked by 2 people

    • Awww. Thank you, Marie.
      I am. There is this weird tug of war inside. Pride, sorrow, anger that I have to do it all now… But yes, we often take our partners for granted.

      Liked by 2 people

  14. Sometimes I think our lives are so full of things that if we don’t take some things for granted we will be unable to function. LOL I agree with Holly…things can change in a heartbeat. We’re all trying to fit everything in and learn new stuff. I just spent days getting the garden in place, but I’m still playing with it. It’s not perfect yet. 🙂 I figure if we are grateful and say that to others and ourselves we’re doing great. Thank you for the post. Oh yeah.

    Liked by 2 people

    • You are right, of course. And you also know that what Holly said is true. You know as well as I do. Learning new stuff is great. HAVING to learn new stuff? Can be fun or annoying 😉
      But yes, gratitude to ourselves and others is so important.
      And thank you for your great comment!

      Like

  17. “When do we become so nonchalant about our circumstances that we no longer pay attention and appreciate the little everyday things that are done for us? It just is. And then one day it isn’t.”

    Human nature, I believe. We have to work to make habits of doing good things, then work to maintain those habits. Beautifully written, and I agree “your words will resonate with everyone who reads them”.

    Liked by 2 people

  19. I loved this. What a great challenge! Someone I know died yesterday, of a brain aneurysm, leaving behind a husband and two small children. I have been thinking of her, and of them…how life goes on like normal and you don’t think about it until it isn’t.

    Liked by 2 people

    • It really is. And I know you understand.
      You probably could have heard my heart thumping when I was up in the ladder hanging paintings!! Man oh man was I chuffed with myself 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  24. Q

    Most of the time we don’t even realize we have changed our game plan to include things we never used to really include. But then we do it and yes, there is a sense of “Damn I’m good!” or something like that. And yet, at the same time you think back on the life that’s in the rearview mirror by a couple miles. Melancholic, to say the least. But still, this shows us that we do have the power to inspire ourselves if we cut ourselves a break and appreciate how far we’ve come.

    Beautiful work on the gazebo and the post.

    Both.

    B

    Liked by 1 person

    • B

      It is so true. They happen because they have to be done and once we figure out the how we can step back and say exactly that: “Day-um! I did it!” Sure there have been some choice curse words at having to do certain things but hey, that’s how the cookie she crumbles. We are often capable of much more than we think.

      It ended up being no big thing (compared to the whole tall ladder/picture hanging thing…) Still. I done did it!

      I thank you. For both.

      Q

      Liked by 1 person

      • In the moments we react, but with time passing and with that perspective to help us along, we begin to reflect. This is where the good stuff comes in. The growth and the appreciation and the gratitude for having what you do have, rather than pining over what is lost and gone.

        It still counts!

        MUAH!!

        Like

  25. This is beautiful, Dale. You weaves sadness, joy, pride and reflection into one lovely post. We all take so much for granted, and we’re all capable of learning. You did a fine job on the gazebo.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Thank you, Dan. So glad you appreciated my efforts! We really do take much for granted and I think that as long as we are learning, we are living. It was easier than I expected but still… 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

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