Last week seemed to just roll over me and it's looking as though this week might do the same. We had a week of such highs and lows. We gathered family together and held a celebration of my sweet mother-in-law's 90th birthday on Sunday. There were four generations present who wanted to honor her and show her how very much she means to all of us. She handled it all with her customary grace and good humor and seemed pleased (though she kept saying that she never expected to still be here on this earth for so long!).
On Tuesday, my 23 year old grand-daughter moved to California and my feelings about it are very conflicted. It's an exciting adventure for her and I'm happy that she's having the opportunity to experience it, now while she is young. On the other hand, I am, quite selfishly, very sad that she's so far away. In the past few years, she's become more like the daughter I'll never have and I'm going to miss having her just an hour away. It is a comfort to be able to stay in touch easily via email, phone and texts, so I can be grateful for that.
Late in the week, my youngest son's father-in-law quite passed away quite unexpectedly, after complications from surgery. My daughter-in-law is part of a very close-knit family and it has been very sad for all who know them. They chose to hold a celebration of his life, rather than calling it a funeral. He left a legacy of a family who never doubted for a moment that he loved them and the service was full of fond memories they have of him.
Two celebrations of life in one week - one for someone continuing to live a long and full life and one for someone gone too soon. It's sobering to think how tenuous our life on this earth is. None of us know what tomorrow brings or even how many tomorrows we have left. I know I need to practice living each day to the fullest (and fullest does not mean filling it up with busyness), to avoid dwelling on negative thoughts and to tell those I love how much they mean to me more often. Lately, I've been getting messages from different sources (even facebook, of all places) to slow down, simplify, be present and awake in my own life. I've thought a lot about the concept of simplifying for some time now and it often feels as though the more I yearn for it, the more elusive it becomes. Am I alone in seeking a more simple life? I don't think I am, but I'd be interested to hear how others feel about the idea of it. I'd love to know if you've managed to achieve a balanced life and how you accomplished it or if, like me, you're still trying to figure it all out.
I don't really yearn for a simple life, per say; there are SO many things I enjoy and I don't want to give up any of them! I would get rid of some "stuff" if I lived alone, but I really am blessed and try to remember that each and every day.
ReplyDeleteYes, I also have many, many things that I enjoy and what I hope to figure out is how to free up some time to get to do them.
DeleteSometimes it takes a death for us to remember to live.
ReplyDeleteSadly, true.
DeleteI'm just so happy that I can do what I want to do, when I want to do it--spinning, knitting and weaving. There are always bumps in the road but that's life and I guess if we can handle it all with grace and deep breaths then we'll survive. I would think that being a Pet Parent to all the sheep and assorted animals with you would be so calming--a little petting here, a little petting there, a little head scratching!!
ReplyDeleteYes, spending time with the animals is calming and the best part of what I do on a daily basis. Honestly, it's usually the stuff that pulls me away from the farm that tends to cause stress.
DeleteLove you Nana. :)
ReplyDeleteI love you too!
DeleteBalance is still something I'm trying to find myself. One thing that's helped me is listing the good things that happen in my life on a daily basis. Working out might make the list one day and sitting on the beach might top the next day's list instead. It helps keep track of the good so that it doesn't get lost among the bad.
ReplyDeleteBalance is the right word. Mike is a great list maker and he's always telling me to keep lists of what I need to do, want to do, etc. I'll give it a try!
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