Keep Passing the Open Windows

The title of this post comes from a novel I once read. I cannot remember the name of the author or the name of the novel. I know that he wrote several novels, one of them Cider House Rules, so I could easily look him up, but I'm not in the mood. Suffice it to say that I was taken with his work.

One of the primary characters in this novel was a dead dog. His name was Sorrow. He was, of course subsequent to his death, stuffed by a Taxidermist and continued to exist, albeit in an altered state, with his family. He somehow ended up in the lake or the ocean or some body of water and was not recovered.   

Sorrow Floats.

He did, and it does. Sorrow is ineffable, more than sadness, more than grief. Sorrow is irremedial and usually attends actions and choices made that can never be amended or forgiven. Thus, at least in the referenced novel, thoughts about suicide are constant in the minds of several of the family members. They have learned to keep passing the open windows. To stop in front of an open window is to risk actualizing their thoughts of self-termination.

I'm not thinking about suicide. I am thinking of Sorrow. I am thinking that one should keep passing the mirrors. I may remove all the mirrors from my home. They are a reminder of a life gone by, a body gone by, a life too far right of middle age.

I have recently heard a good deal about assisted living centers. No, I've not as yet been packed up by my concerned children and admitted to such a facility. I spoke to someone who has been placed in assisted living. She said it felt like being left at the veterinarian while the family was on vacation, never to return, except for the odd visit to tell you how nice you're prison had turned out to be. I urged her to bust out of the place and told her I would be there to assist her in her escape.

She replied, "Keep passing the open windows." I replied, "Sorrow floats."

Comments

[millsjim@earthlink.net]

Hi,
Glad you liked my post. My name is Jim Mills. It is my novel that is advertised on my blog.

[Melanie Jongsma]

Sir (I don't see your name anywhere on your blog), this is really a beautifully written post. Thank you for expressing these feelings and sharing yourself with the world.

I came across your blog because I have a Google Alert set up for "Assisted Living." I'm glad I did!