Otherwise

Otherwise

I got out of bed

on two strong legs.

It might have been

otherwise. I ate

cereal, sweet

milk, ripe, flawless

peach. It might

have been otherwise.

I took the dog uphill

to the birch wood.

All morning I did

the work I love.

At noon I lay down

with my mate. It might

have been otherwise.

We ate dinner together

at a table with silver

candlesticks. It might

have been otherwise.

I slept in a bed

in a room with paintings

on the walls, and

planned another day

just like this day.

But one day, I know,

it will be otherwise.

                -- Jane Kenyon, from her collection of poems, Constance

This is one of my favorite poems. This almost routine list of everyday things that are appreciated specifically for their ordinariness. It is these small things that we miss the most when life turns upside down... eating breakfast, doing work, taking walks, the ability to plan. We have had two very good days now and I am feeling calmer and much more positive about the future. I appreciate the ability to do ordinary things again... work in the barn, read books, have a meal with the whole family, laundry, making things. Not being able to do these tasks for two weeks gives me a new appreciation of them. To live in the otherwise is a sort of backwards blessing because when you leave it and life returns to normalcy, you appreciate it that much more. Living in the otherwise helps to not take the simple but vital blessings for granted.