I spent today beside a woman whose home had been flooded.  She is 89 years old and in a wheelchair….well, a makeshift one.  It was a kitchen table chair that had been adapted by putting rolling casters on each of the four legs.  She scooted around with her feet, but it wasn’t easy.  During the heavy rains she was by herself in her home at night.  As the water rose to over 27 inches inside her home, her small dog drowned.  She was in bed and could not get to him.  He had been her companion for 17 years.

Now in the midst of her grief, with piles of stuff all around her, moment by moment decisions became increasingly difficult.  As others were cleaning up, I knew that the best help I could be was to sit beside her.  We went through wet photo albums as she tried to decide which photos to keep.  I was surprised at how many photos she chose to let go of, and how few photos she chose to save.  “They say I can’t keep so much stuff”, she said, “and besides, I have these pictures in my mind”.

Tonight I am reflecting on our day together.  What moment stands out for me about today?  I am actually a little surprised at which moment surfaces.  There was a photo she immediately knew she wanted to save.  It was a beautiful panoramic view out the window of the home she and her husband shared in New Zealand.  Out of the very few photos she chose to save, why this one?  What does she associate with that view?  Did they make love there?  Did they have deep conversations there?  Did they enjoy a peaceful presence?  A hopeful horizon?  Did the view bring the perspective of a bigger picture?

I began to realize the places and moments in my own life that are identified by the “view”.  The view has become the treasure that is holding the moment.  I see the clear West Texas night sky with lots of stars outside my childhood bedroom window.  I see a full moon and mountains in a huge Montana sky.  I see the view of the lake where I grew up waterskiing.  I see the view of a glorious sunrise outside the big window in my current home.

Is there a picture you would choose to save?  I join my friend….for me it would be the view!

nk