Diary: Beneficial Recollecting

The mind is sleepy
And caught up in reverie,
Memories percolate and drip
Like water from melting ice,

Thinking back to former times,
Winter holidays spent in warmer climes,
When Grandmother tricked me
Into going clothes shopping;

I was really mad
But she had a way with me,
She was so clever
That I also admired her ingenuity;

She bought me a suede suit jacket
With matching shirts and pants,
Then we walked back to the hotel
Where the family was staying.

The jacket I have still,
Although it no longer fits me;
It should probably go to Goodwill
But I hesitate to part with it.

It’s amazing how we continue to hold on
To reminders of days long gone
And to our recollections of people who
Are no longer present.

These remembrances may comfort us,
Or anger, disconcert or dismay
Depending upon their nature and our reactivity
But either way may be difficult to let go of,

Their hold can be quite strong,
Can even oppress us,
But such reminiscing can also be learned from
And this wisdom applied skillfully
Can bring many benefits.