Even when drowning in self-pity, some story comes along to kick you right in the "reality". There have been several instances of life-changing reports close to home to make me pause and take stock.
How I'm lucky:
I have a lot of love around me. Not right next door, necessarily, but over the phone lines, via email, and even blogging. I think we take it for granted. Some people seem to have a million friends, but they are still lonely. I don't think I'm lonely even though I'm not a "group" person so much, but that is probably because I've learned (slowly) to let love into my life on a more regular basis. It is a great deterrent to lonliness.
I have a lot of support. Even if my life ended right now as I know it (and I managed to get through the shock and the nervous breakdown (LOL)), I know I'd have people there to help us through. If horrific things happened, I would not be alone. And in life, these things do happen and are happening to people I love and care about. I hope they know we are here to support them, cuz when it's my turn, I'm sure they'll be there for me.
I have a lot of laughter. We laugh a lot in my house. My son is always trying to out-joke everyone at the dinner table. If someone manages a good laugh out of the group, he'll try to one-up. Laughter has gotten me through my life. Someone recently said they remembered me as an angry teenager. And oh, I was. She didn't see the half of it! But I still think I always laughed. If even at myself. The last few years, sometimes I had to laugh or I would have ended up crying. Or both. "Laughter & tears. Two of life's sweetest emotions." (I think, from Steel Magnolia's, Dolly Parton's character Trudy). Time + Crisis = Humor.
I'm grateful. I have a lot. Not stuff, although we are blessed that way also. Just good things. My sisters and I have a mutual admiration club (or MAC), most days. I have healthy, wonderful, loving children. I have a devoted and hard-working husband. I have friends and a lot of family. I have a home. I have work. I have volunteering. Friends. I have 4 parents not including my amazing mother-in-law, all different and unique, that have all touched my life and continue to do so in different ways.
And on a shallow note...candles. I adore candles. Illuminations left my life, but I still have Yankee. Nothing puts me in a good mood faster than a delicious candle, a long-distance phone call and a couch. And if it's raining, a fire! And then a cooking show. (I love watching them...didn't say I loved cooking!)
So if you haven't already, count your blessings. You'll feel better instantly and you'll realize you're wasting time!
Live, laugh love. Cuz life is short. You won't want to miss it.
7 comments:
You do have great sisters. And thanks for the reminder to count our blessings. :)
good post. good luck with the garage sale (i am assuming tomorrow?) we just had one with some friends for a charity cause i am heading and made $930. can you believe it?! at a garage sale!! and i'm with you. i just buy what i need - no matter the cost. i just don't have the energy (or desire) to hunt for bargains. i think it's a talent, or in people's dna, like you said.
reading about you and your cute sisters makes me miss my one (and only) sister who lives all the way across the country from me (but who i'm going to see in 3 weeks!!!!)
So true. About the candles, I mean. :) You and your candles. True love. And we are so fortunate to have each other. Especially when it comes to birthdays...thank you for funding mine! What would I do w/o you? I'd have to eat at Ruth's Chris! Oh, the woe!
Thanks for the reminders. I loved reading your list of what you're thankful for! You do have so many blessings. I count my sisters as one of my dearest blessings. Thanks for being such a fabulous sister.
'Count your many blessings name then one by one...'
Thank you for the reminder. We get going so fast through life. It's crucial to step back and take in all that we are blessed with.
I must second what others say. You are blessed with two amazing sisters. And I feel blessed to have grown up watching the three of you show love towards one another. I can only imagine how that love has matured and grown as you three have, into beautiful women.
Ops. I know it's been a while, but I do remember it's 'Count your many blessings name THEM one by one' ; )
That was a beautiful blog, as were the three preceding ones. I just loved thinking about those blessings in my own life, and what a great blessing you are in our family. Always the enthusiast, the get-up-and-let's-go one, who keeps us smiling and thinking and shopping!
And a good-hair day-- ah, I long for one of those!
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