Happy February First, and “Rabbit Rabbit” Day. It’s believed by some that by saying those words upon waking the first day of a new month (or before noon) you will experience good fortune throughout the month.
It is said to be an Old English custom and I will leave you to your research. Hop to it!
This past week was one of great movement; physically and emotionally. In October, I’d purchased a small canal front two-bedroom home and we’ve been busy with udates and upgrades of that house and property. As we neared completion, however, I began to think about about its furnishings as it was time to fill those empty rooms.
Concurrently, I learned from the tenants in my home in Georgia that they were able to salvage some furnishings from their home that had suffered from a house fire back in December. On Monday, I went up to my home in Georgia to navigate the moving out of some of its furnishings to be transported to that canal home in Florida, even bringing some contents to the log cabin as well.
Moving on a “good day” is stressful, but the circumstances around this carnival of moving was especially challenging. While up there, my Facebook Memory archive reminded me that three years ago, on that day, in that same place, I’d hosted a Celebration of Life for Rich, after a beautiful military interment at Jacksonville National Cemetery. Rich served as a Navy Corpsman (A medic for the US Marine Corps) in the early 1960s.
I recalled that January 27th, 2022, was a cold and blustery day and I remember being thankfully wrapped up in a long coat that I’d inherited from my late sister, Manette, that kept me warm and grounded during Rich’s Service held in an outdoor chapel. I felt she was with me. During the repass held afterward, we honored and toasted Rich and I wished him a happy birthday, which occurs next week on Tuesday, February 4.
During this past week, I’d also found myself under contract for an additional property with a Closing Date set for February 4. I had fallen in love with the potential of this waterfront property and made an offer that was readily accepted. With several factors considered, however, I wasn’t confident in its purchase and opted out. In the interim, just for “fun” I found myself looking at two additional properties nearby. With each walk through, I learn so much about this incredible locale. For now, I’m content to keep working on the homes I have.
As the past week came to a close, I took a deep breath and gave myself permission to just stop and be in the moment, if only for a moment. I realize I’ve found my “Great Escape” – the restless searching for new potential that keeps me moving forward, literally and figuratively. I keep on moving to keep my mind aloft and wrapped up in the possibilities that may be found at the end of any “dirt” road or along the winding river front here in “Old” Florida. The trick is to stop, rest, enjoy the view, but always keep your eyes on the horizon.
Happy Restful Birthday to you, Rich. I feel your energy and steady hand in the moving moments navigated each day. And a happy and hoppy Rabbit Rabbit month to you all filled with hope of new beginnings.
