Yesterday…after removing the tree from my yard…which was really not such a bad job…of course that’s easy for me to say…I wasn’t the one with the chainsaw…in the heat…carrying large chunks of tree down a steep embankment…while sidestepping shrubs and rose bushes and a few random plants…so I may have underestimated the ease with which the task was accomplished…but…I digress…
I had contracted for two things to be done…the tree removal…and gutter cleaning…now…I and the friend of a friend who was nice enough to take on the project…agreed…the tree would be the most challenging part…
Wrong…
Seems…I neglected to have my gutters cleaned last year…could it have been two years since he last cleaned them…yes…it could…seems as though last summer…when I was not feeling well after surgery…that I overlooked a few things…gutter cleaning was one of those things…
So…what should have taken about thirty minutes…it’s a small house…ended up taking about two hours…much longer than the tree removal…it seems as though the leaves that had been collecting in the gutters for the last two years…had clumped…and started to decay…making a gloopy mess that was clogging my downspouts…
I honestly felt bad for him…as he pulled out handfuls of the glump…until my gutters were once again draining freely…
We discussed the need to clean them every fall…after the neighbors’ leaves have fallen and blown onto my roof…I keep reminding everyone that I don’t have any trees…evidently that doesn’t matter…we all know that possession is nine-tenths of the law…and I seem to possess a lot of leaves…
Anyway…we decided that he would help me remember in the future…and all was well…until I came back in the house…
That’s when…Bertha…informed me that the gutter glump reminded her of my life…now…you may have seen that one coming…but…it surprised me a bit…
She said that the issues I don’t deal with and let go of…just keep collecting…sitting…rotting…in my mind…like leaves in a gutter…she reminds me of the need to constantly clean them up…unlike the gutters…a year is way too long to go…
As I think about what she’s said…I know she is right…I know that the time I spend…in prayer and contemplation…meditation…appreciation…writing…consciously saying the Forgiveness Prayer…removes my mental leaves…helping my life to run smoothly…but…sometimes…I get busy…I let my practices slide…I’ll do it later…and later becomes…tomorrow…and…tomorrow…and the leaves collect…and my life becomes…sluggish…frustrated…angry…
So…the challenge is…to…take the time…whether I think I need to or not…whether I think I have the time or not…to clean my mental gutters on a regular basis…and thankfully…I have…Bertha…to remind me…
Jane
Hehe yes Bertha is a good person to remind us of things and give us lessons! I bet your house is looking great!
Thank you, Christy. At least the gutters are draining and we’ve had rain all day so it’s a good thing. Bertha definitely loves to remind me of things…even when I’m trying to forget…LOL!
Thank you Bertha for reminding me I have failed to clean my mind lately. I have more useless clutter than most because I take so much to heart that I shouldn’t. As I don’t have Bertha nearby on a regular basis, I believe I will just put her book on top of my monitor, giving me a daily reminder to de-clutter not only my mind but my life!! Bertha, you are a wonder to behold!
Arlene…putting Bertha on your monitor is a great idea. She’s always showing me things to help me remember and now she can for you as well. I know you spend a great deal of time outdoors with your livestock and farm…great time for decluttering. Something about nature just opens up that space!
I have a big wet glop of decay in my life right now. Thank you for reminding me what’s important!
Peggy
Peggy…so sorry to hear that you’re going through something but glad that the post spoke to you today. I am always amazed that I find the words I need to hear at just the right time on this thing called the world wide web! Hugs to you today!
I guess we all need to clean the gutters of our lives! I sure need to Thanks Jane!
For me, it’s an ongoing process, Cathy…it never ends! Thanks for posting!
Hello there Jane…
Oh that Bertha!!!… Bow to your alter ego…
She is so right about those issues we just keep on collecting collecting and rotting” like leaves in a gutter”…
And your insights following your inner voice are so accurate… There are many palliatives ways in order to removes our mental leaves, and to let our lives “run smoothly” and yet sometimes the imperative duties postpones the basic core, which are the essential needs to avoid the leaves jam…
But I am sure you ll get to find the balance… When getting to ponder, Bertha is at the end, a supporter…
I really enjoyed your story and learn through it. Keep it up !, Cheers Aquileana 🙂
Thank you so much Aquileana…and I so enjoy your perspectives…it is so easy to say…I don’t have time…and…it’s just one little leaf…how much damage could it do…until there are thousands of leaves…clogging the drain…have a beautiful day!
Same wishes… TY Jane, xx
Aquileana 😉
😉