The Strawberry Chapter 26

The Strawberry Chapter 26

Continuation Trinkets

By Katherine Aguilar

This Chapter of the Strawberry picks up where I left off in the last chapter, so it will continue to flow in that direction. My brain seems to be freeing itself of emotions I haven't said or expressed in years. It is very freeing. Now that I have picked up the pace in writing. Even now that I have picked up the pace, it is also not fast enough. That I should be pouring out pages like water. That my brain should be at high speed, making split-second decisions, only to get them wrong again. I will write. Let the writing be my voice, let a stranger hear me. If it is one reader, at least one person will hear me—one of the many reasons to write.

I loved Ruben. He listened. He is gone. I hope he is resting and at peace with his family and wife. I heard a Pastor say. That in heaven there are no spouses. I believe they do get to see each other again. That is the result. Families see each other. I believe they get to start again, which is why it is called eternal life. Your spirit lives on in others. I may fail there as well. I pretty much have to see the person as I last saw them in their youth. Thought I saw familiarities in people from the past and present, throughout my life. I believe it could be their spirit living on.

Stop and go

Part of my stop-and-go was my mother not really wanting to give me time to breathe for myself. Parents, let your children breathe. Give them the space they need to grow if you set the proper foundation for them. Then you should be able to see them grow and develop. If you keep them from growing and developing, don’t complain later on in life when they are still trying to grow up in their fifties. Go ahead and look in the mirror, and don’t ask what happened. Thank goodness I was able to do some growing on my own and by running to work. Yes, my growth outlet was going to work. I met great mentors and people to help me develop. Still, mother held on so tight it felt like I was being choked. Now that she's gone.

I am writing this book, which is so freeing. I seem to be writing fast because I am waiting for the stop-and-go to come my way. I can say it again, parent. That is one trinket from my trinket box. LET! Your children grow. Prepare your children to grow on their own and be a part of society so that one day they can come over and share their grandchildren with you. When you are old, they will one day assist you. But do not expect it. Be prepared to let them live their lives. If they spend time caring for you, it will be out of sheer joy because they have done so much for you. I can not say it enough! Let your children grow. Put that one in your trinket box.

Can

One word I believe that was put in my siblings' box was CAN. It was always You Can, and you will. It was never that you can’t. If someone told us you can’t, we would always prevail and learn to find a way to I Can. In the era we grew up in, we heard a lot of I can’t from society because of race, finances, etc. We were set to prevail and overcome. So we could share that one trinket with others so they can do the same. I am sure many of you already have the I CAN in your trinket box. If not, put it in there. You will definitely use it in your lifetime.

Evil

Evil is definitely in this world many can get lost and confused with there being so much. Even those grounded in faith can be hit by it in every corner. You have to stay on constant guard and bless your family at all times. Get grounded in your faith, surround yourself with good mentors, and open the manual to find the answer on how to protect yourself and your family. Respect other religions, but stick to believing in the Holy Trinity, and your life will go much more smoothly. Don’t be afraid to open the bible or ask questions. It is better to ask questions than not to ask any at all. I was raised in one faith, but I go to a different church just because they explain the bible in a clearer way for me to understand. When a person is dying or in anguish, they always call on God to help them. Don’t wait for the time to talk to Him. He has always been with you. Start by telling him hello. Then go from there.

When you want healing, would you prefer He give you healing of the body or of the soul? Which is more important to you?

Love

One of the most important trinkets in the trinket box. Is love. Love with your whole heart and unconditionally—love without expecting anything in return. If you expect anything in return, then you do not truly love. If you love a person regardless of everything, then you love them for their whole being. That doesn't mean run and start a parade for them all the time. That means you love them for even existing in this world, and at one time, they may have given you a memory that someone else gave you, a time that is cherished. They left a trinket of emotion in you that you may have used on the next husband, wife, friend, or family member. There is always a remnant of love left. For example, at one time in your lifetime, that person may have made you laugh, smile, or given you a hug when you really needed it. Hold that moment in your trinket box. You may need it on a day you're feeling down and needing a laugh or a smile. It is better to hold on to that than the bitterness they may have left.

You are the better person.