Another Milestone

Creativity drew Cole and Seagh together and determination made them inseparable. They designed and created The Trailer to make any trip or event more comfortable and sometimes more profitable. Everything one could want securely attached – tool boxes, reserve tanks, ramps. They even fixed a barbecue grill to slide off for storage. This creation is truly remarkable.

 

Since I’ve been back I often remembered the guys building that trailer – Seagh fussing over Cole’s work and Cole back-combing over Seagh’s. And yet, every weekend they both agreed it is their masterpiece.

So, after four years, Cole got his asking price for their last remaining custom creation (without the Comanche). I think Cole and I both felt the pang as another tangible reminder of Seagh hitched up to leave the ranch. It should be no big deal – they built it to sell it. And yet I was sad to see it go.

The new owners’ visible excitement assured us it would be appreciated, most likely treasured. Going by the stickers in their truck window I don’t doubt it: NASCAR, NHRA, IHRA, Harley Davidson and (my personal favorite) “my honor student pounded your honor student.”

Cole paused and gazed for a moment, I imagine to commemorate the milestone. He even (reluctantly) let me shoot a photo. As he headed back to work on the new 5th wheel I heard him say softly, “This ain’t sad. Seagh will be here until we’re all home again.”

He’s right, you know.

So, the first evening after the wind dies down we’ll build a fire in the pit, remember the great times we’ve had here together and look forward to the even better times to come.

“For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down (that is, when we die and leave this earthly body), we will have a house in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands.” 2 Corinthians 5:1 (NLT)

Seagh 1957 – 2014

 

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Housebound

Being still and quiet is not my strong suit – never has been. I’m a do-er. Unable to use my arms, this healing season has been my greatest challenge to date, often plunging me into bouts of apathy followed by arbitrary sadness.

The rain and wind have arrived. The lots muddy, pastures soggy, the cottage floors took the worst of it while using a broom or mop is so difficult. Initially I engaged all my creativity cleaning up the mess, but gradually succumbed to going outdoors only when necessary.

Soon I felt the walls beginning to close in on me and my moods swung dark.

Despite physical therapy I see my muscles beginning to shrivel; bicep, triceps, flexor and brachia rubber bands. This concerns me. I don’t spring back as fast as I used to. Still, I flex till it hurts and then stop.

Today the dark dams looming in every corner of the cottage seemed to break open. I could no longer simply sit. I sat on a piece of non-slip drawer liner, arms folded across my middle. Pressing my feet against the sofa I pushed it. Stuttering, and groaning it moved!

“For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13 (NLT)

We must re-stain the concrete anyway, so I’ll live with the scrape marks until the weather is more cooperative.

Repeating this with the love seat and recliner I cleared a circular path through the three rooms.

Then I did the math:

One circle through the rooms is 40-42 steps. Times 13 trips every hour 8 times a day, I not only see little things I actually can clean but I’m also burning calories while pumping the creative juices. Since I work an average of 8 to 10 hours a day – that’s about two miles of steps. Sure, I feel like I’m growing hamster hair, but spring’s coming.

I reset the alarms on my laptop and dutifully respond every hour. Shoes laced and dressed in layers I can peel off and put back on, every hour I stayed on task, returning to work with my brain freshly revived.

This is better. Now I’m brain storming how I can buff out the scrape marks standing on buffing pads from the paint shop… I’ll dance. Mashed Potato everyone!

“Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory He will reveal to us later.” Romans 8:18 (NLT)