I had just finished writing yesterday’s blog about Lost and Broken Things, when I walked into the kitchen and heard a loud crash. Apparently, for no reason, a green goblet jumped off a knickknack shelf in the corner of my counter and smashed itself on the kitchen floor. I was nowhere near the shelf when it happened. The shelf was solid without a wobble, the goblet was well back from the edge of the shelf where it had been for the past seventeen months, the air was still, and yet, there it was, bits of green glassware all over the floor.
This goblet had nothing to do with my shared life with Jeff. I hadn’t even met him when I got it. I’d bought it at Target when I moved into my first apartment for the grand price of twenty-five cents. At the time, I bought two each of three different sizes. I’d kept them for decades without incident, but when I unpacked them after I moved in to my new house, I found that one had broken in transit. And now another is gone.
If I were fanciful, I’d say Jeff knocked the goblet off the shelf to tell me . . . I don’t know. That broken things don’t matter? That I lost his spoon, so he killed my glass? That it’s not just “our” things that will be succumb to entropy?
But I’m not fanciful. I’m just at a loss to explain that particular breakage at that particular time.
Besides, if Jeff were to contact me, I’d hope he had more interesting things to bring to my attention than broken glassware.
***
Pat Bertram is the author of Grief: The Inside Story – A Guide to Surviving the Loss of a Loved One. “Grief: The Inside Story is perfect and that is not hyperbole! It is exactly what folk who are grieving need to read.” –Leesa Healy, RN, GDAS GDAT, Emotional/Mental Health Therapist & Educator
Bertram's Blog 
September 1, 2020 at 4:22 pm
Seismic activity in the area?
I’d probably see it as the universe telling me a gobblet that hasn’t moved from a shelf in seventeen months probably ought not be there, but I’m in a de-stuffing mode.
September 1, 2020 at 7:33 pm
We are in a seismic-free zone.
If I used that criterium of non-use for everything, I’d basically have an empty house. Enjoying the sight of something is a use of sorts. I’m in a de-stuffing hiatus. Once I get used to having a place for everything, then I’ll start thinking about getting rid of more stuff.
September 1, 2020 at 4:47 pm
They are pretty. The unexplained,……….I’ve seen it too!
September 1, 2020 at 6:11 pm
Maybe he read the previous blog entry and that was his way of commenting? 🙂
September 1, 2020 at 7:34 pm
Possibly. Or life toying with me. Today, I dropped a full glass bottle on the edge of a concrete step, and it sounded as if it broke, but it didn’t. It’s as impossible to believe that the bottle didn’t break as to believe that the goblet did.
September 2, 2020 at 1:16 am
One suggestion : one culprit can do that please beware of invisible neighbors cat can move things edge of your shelf.
I feel that lot of things happen in everyday life fallen objects not always break ! or not !… wish you have a paisible week
September 2, 2020 at 9:08 am
Same to you!
September 2, 2020 at 5:08 am
Hi Pat! I have been folllowing your blog but haven’t written in awhile glad to see your settled in a comfy home!
Here’s my take:
“Besides, if Jeff were to contact me, I’d hope he had more interesting things to bring to my attention than broken glassware.”
Before he can be communicate more interesting things doesn’t he need to get your attention?
September 2, 2020 at 9:07 am
I can’t imagine why, after all this time, he’d want to get my attention,
September 3, 2020 at 4:38 am
Joe commented ” Maybe he read the previous blog entry and that was his way of commenting? 🙂”
You responded “Possibly”. That’s all I was trying to say.
I can understand that if you can’t imagine why he would want to get your attention that my comment is mute. I just hope it wasn’t hurtful. I feel grief triggers rising in me during this very difficult national time and long for the security of my husband.
I long ago gave up on people knowning or understanding that enduring longing but I wouldn’t want to inadvertently do it to you because I should know better!
Reply
September 3, 2020 at 8:34 am
Of course your comment wasn’t hurtful. I just didn’t know how to respond since I know you believe in the possibility of his trying to contact me, and despite what I said to Joe, I really don’t. I used to pretend he was contacting me when I found coins, but it was more wishful thinking. And if it wasn’t, and he was reaching out to me, my answer comes down to the same thing — I can’t imagine why he would contact me after all these years. Despite the horror of the times, my life really hasn’t really changed that much, though I am a bit sadder. Grief is always with us, and times like this do make us want (need!) that security we no longer have.