When Life Gives You A Ladder- Make Cobbler

"Nothing ever goes away until it teaches us what we need to know." -Pema Chodron

I've seen this quote around a few times lately, so it caught my attention given the whirlwind of crap happening these days. While it may be a very true statement, if we are always learning, does that mean nothing ever really goes away? This can be good or bad, depending on circumstances. It can be people, places or things. Lately, I've often wondered what I'm being taught during this phase in my life. It seems like whenever I turn around something else is happening. Certain things just won't go away, both positive and negative, past and present. I would really like to give props to my sarcastic sense of humor and German genes for keeping me tough and relatively sane. Without those two things, I'm pretty sure I would be within the confines of some secret hideout somewhere, just waiting for this life storm to pass. My littles are also a huge motivator in keeping me solid during all of this craziness, but that's a given. I love those little shits to the end of the earth and beyond!

Today I was given a good example for what that quote can mean to someone.

A few years ago, after buying our house, someone (who shall remain nameless) just had to buy this GIANT 40ft ladder off of a friend of ours. I remember it was at a time when money was tight, so I felt it was a pointless purchase. The ladder arrived at our house, prior to purchase, because it was used to rescue our cat that was trapped high up in a tree. Prince, our newly adopted beast dog was to blame for the cat in the tree scenario. That is when we found out he was less than willing to tolerate other animals.

That was also the ONLY time that ladder has ever been used.

The ladders permanent resting place is on some hooks alongside our fence, right outside the master bedroom window no less. Not only was I against the purchase of the thing to begin with, I've had to stare at it daily for nearly 4 years now. Last year I noticed some blackberry bushes starting to wrap around the ladder. I was instantly annoyed because obviously, it has no use here. Today I woke up sad because I was in an empty house, for the second night in a row and I just wanted to be with my girls. That's when I happened to look out my window and noticed all kinds of plump blackberries ready for pickin!

So you know what I'm gonna do? Pick them and make a cobbler. Why? Because I may hate that ladder, but I fucking love me some cobbler!! Those berries wouldn't be there without that big hunk of metal hanging on my fence. What did I learn from this? That sometimes something you don't like or don't see having a purpose can change into something useful given time. I know it's just a stupid ladder, but really....... is that some irony or what?

So now that I've learned what I've needed to from that thing, it can go. Ladder anyone? Because I'm keeping the cobbler for myself.