lately i’ve been thinking a lot about lines of continuity.
those wiry overlooked threads in our lives
that remain the same from beginning to end.
despite the ephemeral twists and turns
that we as individuals might encounter along the way.
although i go in significantly wild directions now and then,
there is always some semblance of familiarity.
single recognizable strands that continue throughout.
that not only remind me of who i am and where i’ve come from,
but also reinforce the gentle and comforting rhythm of my days.
there is much in my life that is constantly changing.
i’ve chosen to live without geographical roots.
(and roots of other kinds as well.)
so my existence rarely appears the same.
month-to-month, year-to-year.
yet it doesn’t matter where i find myself in the world.
and it doesn’t matter in which forms they occur.
they’re there.
lines of continuity.
and they’re important.
the sunshine leaving its golden diagonal slant across a surface.
the glance of understanding that passes between my husband and me.
the pantry stocked with favorite foods in different kitchens across the globe.
the serious maturity of my older son’s face, from toddler to 20s.
the devilish grin on my younger son’s face, from infant to teen.
the pile of scrawled post-it notes always within my reach.
the saturday morning bagel brunch in more cities than i can count.
the daddy-daughter relationship, thriving well into my father’s eighties.
the delicious ritual of reading each night before falling sleep.
the laughter of lifelong friends reminiscing about decades-old memories.
the hint of italian heritage in my dad’s mostaccioli with red sauce.
the lasting legacy of my mom evident in my smile.
they’re there.
lines of continuity.
and they’re important.
i’d love for you to share some of your own lines of continuity.
no matter how inconsequential they may seem,
they are crucial to self-awareness.
*******
when we commit to rediscovering our true essence,
we begin to notice lines of continuity.
enjoy my complimentary guide.
Wonderful as always April. Similar to you, my lines of continuity lie in the consistency of the inconsistent life I live. I’m always changing and growing and renewing. But what remains true throughout is my desire to learn, love and serve. Those lines are always there. They are my core. They are important. Thank you for forcing me to consider them and simplify what I tend to make so complex. <3
Today I noticed the trees in my yard. I have lived in the same home for nearly fifteen years and just noticed today how grown up the trees became, following the lines of my children, my marriage, even my dog! It is nice to consider the lines of continuity we all have,
Gosh, that’s food for thought April! Lines of continuity.. my eldest nephew’s wife is about to give birth to a baby boy, seeing my big sister become a grandma for the second time and for my parents to be around to see it is wonderful.. what else.. lunch with a friend I havent seen since she got married 18 months ago, turns out her husband worked at the same place as me! Your examples are wonderful, simple and evoke the senses. Lovely post thank you 🙂
My friends – some of them have been with me for over 40 years!
Looking at family photos yesterday, I see how my middle son looks like my mother, my youngest looks exactly like me and yet exactly like his dad…we do live on through our blood.
Holiday traditions that tie us together year in and year out.
The flow of the seasons.
The goodnight kiss.
Lovely to think about this, April.
This is a great outlook on how you view the things around you! I appreciate this post so much because it reminds me to pause and take a look around. The lines of continuity in my life can be as simple as a smile from one of my children, but they are still absolutely delightful!
This is a beautifully written article! I can always see the lines once I’m out of a situation- almost like I can connect the dots, although it’s hard to do so when in the middle of it. Lovely, April!
Beautiful. It’s the continuity that is familiar, right? So how wonderful to embrace that which we’re familiar with, instead of always seeking.
Another thought provoking post, April! On a cloudy or grey day, when the sun suddenly makes an appearance, metaphorically and physically, I’m always transformed…no matter where I am at in the world or with my thoughts! To me, that is symbolic of continuity!
Great post! Has me thinking of my own lines of continuity through my rituals. The good – starting each morning with yoga on my porch before even checking my phone or email. And the bad – collapsing on the couch and turning on the tv almost as soon as I get home through the door and my other self-defeating habits. It’s hard to break out of those lines of continuity
Oh this just speak to my heart – community, connection and family – continuity for me xx