When you read the three words in this post’s title, “All good things“, I’d be willing to bet your mind automatically filled in the remainder of the proverb with, “must come to an end“, didn’t it?
The funnest vacation you’ve ever taken eventually ends,
Your brand new car eventually starts looking like a used car,
Downton Abbey ended, and there’s no season 7. Sigh…
So when I discovered one of my favorite good things was suddenly gone, I shouldn’t have been surprised, but I did feel sad.
My husband and I went out on our gravel road last week to shoot photos of my upcycled vintage bike.
After we’d gotten all the shots I thought I needed, I said, “let’s go down by the old barn and get a photo with the barn in the background.”
We passed a small field with corn just starting to shoot up.
We went by a pasture where cows often graze, and that’s when I discovered something was missing.
I looked ahead, where normally there’s a row of hay bales, and saw they were gone. I felt immediately disappointed.
I totally get that those old bales were too old to have nutritional value for livestock.
but still…
They added to the scenery on our road, and now they’re gone.
I’ve taken SO may photos of this view of our road, and I felt as if someone had stolen my scenery – even though they weren’t my hay bales and the property there were on doesn’t belong to me.
I wish I could say that was the only thing that was missing, but we walked past where the hay bales once sat, and this was what we saw next.
Yes, it’s an empty field behind an old fence, but that isn’t what used to be there.
The beautiful, dilapidated old barn used to be there, and it has been torn down.
All good things must come to an end, and I knew that old barn would’t last much longer, but I was so sad to discover it was torn down.
I feel like I’ve developed a bond with that old barn, since the first time I laid eyes on it.
I even shot my middle son’s senior photos by it.
“As Oscar Wilde said, “Some things are more precious because they don’t last long.”
Truer words were never spoken.
Each member of my family received one beautiful rose at my mother-in-laws funeral in January.
I’ve had them sitting in a jar in my kitchen, but petals were starting to fall off.
Like that old barn, I know they won’t last forever, but at least I’ll have the photos to look back at and remember them, while remembering my husband’s mother at the same time.
While I was at it, I decided to take more photos of the flowers my father-in-law sent me for Mother’s Day, because they are starting to wilt also.
I think knowing that all good things come to an end helps remind us to enjoy each moment.
Vaya con Dios,
Thankfully our photos and memories will last us forever.
Sandy, you have NO idea how glad I am now that I took that photo of the barn – I really treasure it now. If I ever find out who the owner of it was, I plan to give them a photo of it too.
Angie, I feel your pain. I live in an area where barns are disappearing to make room for warehouses. I know that jobs are important, but we are losing a piece of history day by day. So sad.
How awful to see an old barn replaced by a warehouse, Cindy! I love the look of old warehouses, but new ones aren’t nearly as cool looking.
I have a thing for barns too! I can see why you were upset that they tore down that barn! It was beautiful!
It was beauty Janey – I can only hope they build a new barn in its place, but new barns are rarely wood anymore. They are usually metal.
Angie, I got to see Downton Abbey in the winter, European time frame. And when it ended I was in tears like a foolish child. At least they wrapped things up nicely.
As for that old barn, that is a part of you. When I first discovered your blog, that is how I identified you.. the old gray barn. So sorry to see that it’s been torn down. I guess everything must come to an end.
I bought all the seasons of Downton Abbey on DVD so I can just watch them over and over again, Mary! 🙂
I bet somebody scored all that old barn board and is now making some really cool stuff with it. Probably another blogger and is writing about the nifty things to make with old barn board!
Yeah – I wish I would have known they were going to tear it down – at least I could have asked them about getting the wood!
Hi Angie:
I loved this post, so true we do value things that are not going to last, think that is why my tulips give me so much joy when I look out the window at them, I am one of those persons that doesn’t really realize I miss something until it is gone, like the old barn. I too loved Downton Abby and will really miss it this winter.
We definitely need to enjoy things and people in the moment, Judy – because we never know when they’ll be gone.
So beautiful Angie!
Thank you for sharing I always love your posts. Will try and send you a picture of our barn this one reminds me of it.
Blessings, Candy
I’d love to see a photo of yours, Candy!
I did send several via email, not sure if I have the right one, sent it via a reply to the email your postings come thru on, jas…..@msn Let me know if it is different and I will resend.
So lovely…and so true, Angie. We recently watched as they tore down an old farmhouse and barn that we remember from our youth…it was there long before that. It was being swallowed up by the city and the site is being developed…like it was never there…except in memory. Time is so fleeting…and change is always there…we need to be present and experience life around us. Hope you have a lovely weekend!
Ugh – that’s so sad, Linda! I know some homes and buildings cost more to save than they are worth, but it’s so hard to see something so beautiful and old get torn down – especially for modern development.
This was a beautiful message today, Angie!
Thanks so much, Mare! 🙂
Good timing on this post! Accepting change like that (other people changing things on their own property, ha-ha!) has always been difficult for me. Every time another row of trees are cut down, another road put in (public property, but change), old buildings torn down (sure, it was rotting, a danger, but it was…pretty and it’s always been there). Just last night I found out a man is planning to build seven 24 unit apartments in our little rural area. For once I didn’t freak out and cry (though we will be attending a meeting about it), if they get built, so be it. At least I still have memories of growing up here when it was beautiful and quiet. Regarding Downtown Abbey, I’m over a season behind still!
I would have such a hard time accepting having an apartment building being built by my home, so you are taking the idea pretty well, Michelle!
Ang, I thought there was an unspoken rule that old barns just fall down. They don’t get torn down! I can see why this cause you some “pain”. It was especially picturesque. But the memories keep us going don’t they?
I had hoped they would let it just fall down on its own, Kathy, and let time take care of it. I have to admit, I felt a bit mad that they didn’t. I just hope they don’t build something ugly in its place.
I really am one of those people that gets sad when wonderful things change.
Me too, Marlene – I’ve never been a fan of change!
Nice post, Angie. I love old barns, too, and that one was particularly lovely in it’s aged state. Thank goodness you have the photo of it. Is that one available for purchase? I find it especially sad when things that have been part of your visual world for a long time disappear. I am such a visually-oriented person that I just cherish the beautiful and familiar sights in my world So, when they aren’t there anymore it feels almost like losing a dear friend. It’s hard to remember, too, that all good things do come to an end. Some are replaced with other good things, but others aren’t. Transience–hard for us humans to accept. Thanks for sharing your experience of the impermanence of all things.
It’s a good thing you have pictures to keep that beautiful old barn alive. I can’t help but think about where all the wood went. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if you had some? I can only imagine the things you could create.
Believe me, I do wish I could have gotten my hands on some of it, Betsy!
Sorry about the barn! It was so beautiful!
Brenda