This past week was a tumultuous time. On Christmas Eve my mother became ill and had to be taken to the emergency room, was admitted that evening then ended up in the ICU overnight. The minutes turned into hours, hours into days then the days smeared into nothingness. Time became irrelevant. Time was measured in each moment. Moments that consisted of pondering all the catastrophic possibilities. Moments the didn't move. These moments became a tremendous lesson in time.
I struggled while watching all the suffering around with all the shoulda, couldas and wouldas. You know, what should be different, what could have been or what would have been with different choices. But those are not for me to challenge. Our choices are our own. My choices have not always been the best choices, but they are mine and have shaped me into the person that I am. Good, bad or ugly, we are in this life to the bitter or bittersweet end....the choice is ours.
Life doesn't slow for us or even pause, it plunders on with complete and utter disregard to any of our plans or our fussing over the finite details. When we are submerged in these fragile moments either by experience or witness, we realize quickly that we are absolutely without control of our life's cycle. My parents were aging. Their bodies were tired. Their time is a treasured commodity.
My life in comparison is a train wreck of strict schedules, meeting time lines, all the while living out of a suitcase as I plunder from place to place being driven by time. In watching my parents, who celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this past June, purposefully practice the pause as they address one moment at a time taking time to greet each other with loving intent. They are not driven by time, rather they jumped on board and embraced the ride with all its bumps, blunders and blessings. In doing so, they've earned a love that has endured the tests of time.
The new year rolled in just after Mom was discharged back home. Time for me to move on back into my time lines, tasks and travel taking with me this timeless lesson of loving what I have, living in each moment and lighting up my own world that I may see with new eyes all that gifts around me in the present moment. My Dad always says, "it's called the present because it is a gift." Never has that statement meant as much.
2017.....Live it! Love it! Light it up!
YOU hold the key!
I struggled while watching all the suffering around with all the shoulda, couldas and wouldas. You know, what should be different, what could have been or what would have been with different choices. But those are not for me to challenge. Our choices are our own. My choices have not always been the best choices, but they are mine and have shaped me into the person that I am. Good, bad or ugly, we are in this life to the bitter or bittersweet end....the choice is ours.
Life doesn't slow for us or even pause, it plunders on with complete and utter disregard to any of our plans or our fussing over the finite details. When we are submerged in these fragile moments either by experience or witness, we realize quickly that we are absolutely without control of our life's cycle. My parents were aging. Their bodies were tired. Their time is a treasured commodity.
My life in comparison is a train wreck of strict schedules, meeting time lines, all the while living out of a suitcase as I plunder from place to place being driven by time. In watching my parents, who celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this past June, purposefully practice the pause as they address one moment at a time taking time to greet each other with loving intent. They are not driven by time, rather they jumped on board and embraced the ride with all its bumps, blunders and blessings. In doing so, they've earned a love that has endured the tests of time.
The new year rolled in just after Mom was discharged back home. Time for me to move on back into my time lines, tasks and travel taking with me this timeless lesson of loving what I have, living in each moment and lighting up my own world that I may see with new eyes all that gifts around me in the present moment. My Dad always says, "it's called the present because it is a gift." Never has that statement meant as much.
2017.....Live it! Love it! Light it up!
YOU hold the key!
Beautifully stated! Praying that your mother is doing well and will continue to improve. It is in the difficult times that we learn the most about life. As hard as these lessons can be, always be thankful in the good times and bad times, learn from them and make the most out of life. Your dad said it best...Each new day is a gift and we should make the most of it. Wishing you all the best today and in the days ahead. You are a wonderful person and I am thankful that we had the opportunity to meet.
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