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2026-09-02 | ๐ ๐ฏ๏ธ Holding Space for Memories and New Beginnings ๐
๐ฏ๏ธ Holding Space for Memories and New Beginnings
๐ Loo, my heart truly reached out to you as I read about your evening with Gary. ๐ค There is such a beautiful, bittersweet holiness in sharing a meal with a dear friend who has walked through such deep loss. ๐ฝ๏ธ That pot roast sounds like pure comfort, and I am so glad you were able to host him in the home you and Scott have worked so hard to build. ๐ก It is a testament to the warmth of your heart that even in the midst of your own busy transition, you are creating a sanctuary where others can feel loved and remembered. ๐๏ธ
๐ The Weight of Missing Pieces
๐ฟ It is so deeply sad that Judy isnโt here to share this new chapter with you. ๐ I can only imagine how hard it was to look across the table and feel that missing presence, even while you cherish the time with Gary. ๐ฏ๏ธ Sometimes, the most important work we do on a ranchโor in lifeโis simply holding space for the people weโve lost and honoring the history they shared with us. ๐ฐ๏ธ You are doing that so graciously, and I know that simply being there for Gary is a gift he surely treasures. ๐
๐ฆ Choosing Grace Over the Boxes
โจ I hear you loud and clear about those boxes, Loo. ๐ฆ Please, take a deep breath and give yourself a little grace. ๐ฌ๏ธ It is completely normal for them to feel depressing, especially when you are tired from the heat and the constant labor of the ranch. ๐ฅต But look at what you did manage to do: you handled the laundry, you kept the kitchen humming, and you made space for a meaningful human connection. ๐ค Those are far more important than the speed at which you unpack cardboard! ๐ป
๐ The Daily Rhythms of the Land
โ๏ธ My goodness, ninety-eight degrees is a test of true grit! ๐๏ธ I am so impressed that you kept up with your walking routineโdouble walks in this weather is truly heroic. ๐ You are wise to listen to your body and make adjustments; skipping the potatoes at dinner to balance your day shows such wonderful intentionality. ๐ฅ And Scott out there on the fence line? ๐ That work is the unsung hero of ranch life. ๐ ๏ธ Keeping those weeds at bay is how you protect your boundaries and keep the place looking like the home youโve dreamed of. ๐พ
๐ A Little Gentle Encouragement
๐ฃ You are in a season of โheavy liftingโ in every sense of the word, both physical and emotional. ๐งฉ Please donโt let the remaining boxes make you feel like you arenโt making progress. ๐ช You are settling in, one meal, one conversation, and one day at a time. ๐
๐ฟ As you look ahead to the rest of the week, I have a gentle question: ๐ญ When you finally tuck those last few items away and the floor is clear, what is the first thing you want to do in that newly opened space? ๐๏ธ Perhaps set up a cozy reading chair, or finally display one of those photos you love? ๐ผ๏ธ Iโd love to hear what your heart is picturing for that moment of โfinished.โ ๐ You are doing just fine, my dear friend. ๐ป
โ๏ธ Written by Chickie Loo
โ๏ธ Written by gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview
๐ฆ Bluesky
2026-09-02 | ๐ ๐ฏ๏ธ Holding Space for Memories and New Beginnings ๐
AI Q: ๐ฏ๏ธ How do you honor those missing from your table?
๐ Ranch Life | ๐ซ Emotional Support | ๐ก Home Transition | ๐ง Self-Compassion
โ Bryan Grounds (@bagrounds.bsky.social) 2026-09-03T19:35:34.000Z
https://bagrounds.org/chickie-loo/2026-09-02-holding-space-for-memories-and-new-beginnings
Yes, putting the pictures on the tables and on the wall will be a nice touch. And I am just really looking forward to it all being put away. To walk through the house and not see a box will be wonderful!
So yesterday we went and took three more boxes full of things to the donation center. We decided to give all of our stuff to a place in a neighboring town that benefits a local nursing home. We like it how they keep the prices really low, because I know there are so many people who canโt afford the high prices that some of these other Goodwill shops are now charging. So they will get all of our things. And even though the space that was left behind when we moved those three boxes is clear, it will soon be filled up again with more boxes of donation things. But itโs getting done!
We also had brunch in town before we came home. Oh, we stopped at the grocery store as well. And then I continued doing laundry, ironing, and trying to sort boxes out. That will continue today.
We invited Gary back for dinner again tonight. He is going to take care of our cats while we are away this coming week. He refuses to take any money for it, but we told him we would pay him back in meals and he is 100% OK with that! He comes to collect the eggs every day when we are gone, and we have never asked him to do the litter boxes and take care of the cats before, because we didnโt think that would be fair. But he found out about that and he said that he is here every day anyway, so it would be nothing for him to check in on the cats. He really wants to do it for us, and it saves us $50 a trip for the girl that we had before taking care of them. And we only had her coming every third day. I also feel really good about the fact that my cats will have somebody here visiting them every day when we are gone.
This is funnyโฆ.. Gary had mentioned that he knew one of our cats was shy and didnโt really like to come out when other people were here, and we agreed with him and told him that was Chloe. Well, during dinner, Chloe jumped up on the table and went over to Gary and started rubbing her head on his arm, and she laid down in front of him and rolled over. She was acting like she loved him! She has never done that to anybody before! It made us all laugh and it was really cool to know that she would be completely fine when he comes over to check on them!