This is a rather unusual post for me. Yesterday we learned that someone I didn't even know and Ben knew casually, passed away suddenly. He had a heart attack. He was 47 and had a wife and a business and two kids. It is strange how this passing of someone I didn't even know really got to me. Your head immediately fills with the what ifs and the sadness for their family and friends. And then the practical - we should get more life insurance and exercise more. But what we came around to was that besides making sure your ducks are in a row (as Mrs. Makely would say) that really, there isn't anything you can do. Except to tell the people in your life that you love them, you really really love them. And make sure they know it all the time. And then to just really enjoy your life. Do what you love, savor the little things and stop wishing away the days.
The strange thing was, I happened to be doing that last night when Ben came home. I heard it was National Margarita Day. So Claire and I spent some time at the market yesterday getting fresh limes and avocados for guacamole, (because Margaritas don't really go with spaghetti and meat sauce). And when Ben came home really late from a long day at work I put the margaritas and guacamole on a clean (shockingly) coffee table and looked at him and said "you are really loved". Now I hate to say it, but this is not how Ben is usually greeted when he arrives home. And given the state of the rest of the house, especially the kitchen, and my level of exhaustion it was really exceptional. But something in me said that it was needed and I feel so happy that I did it. It doesn't really make up for my mini breakdown later that night when my kitchen timer momentarily stopped working. Really - emotional over a timer - sometimes it takes a while for my life lessons to sink in. Perspective has never been my strong point. I know realistically that you can't live like that all the time, but I am certainly going to try and do it more often.
It also made me think about this post I read a few days ago and has really gotten to me. It is on the Simple Kids site More Than Words: Simple Ways to Show Your Kids You Love Them. I highly recommend it and not just to those with kids. It is a nice reminder that there are so many ways to show love and it makes you think about your interactions with people. The section about Touch talks about the way you touch your kids every day - when you wipe their face or brush their hair - and how these are opportunities to show your love. And it made me think about the way I struggle with Sprite when I change her diaper or clothes. I never thought of it as a chance to show my love but rather as a challenge that can be overcome. Now, it didn't automatically make these things easier, but it gave me more patience when trying to do them.
So here is what I suggest, and what I am going to try to do myself...
Read the post on Simple Kids
Renew that lapsed life insurance policy
Send my prayers to the family of the gentleman that passed away
Tell my family I love them
and have a Margarita before dinner tonight
Have a beautiful day.
That was so beautiful, Nat. Thank you for sharing. It's funny how these moments happen, but I'm always so grateful when they do. And I'm extremely grateful to have you as a friend. You are loved too, sweetie! :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks :) It is nice to hear, even though you know it, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteThanks Nat...I love you too. Far more than you know... That goes for Mom as well.
ReplyDeleteThanks Dad. I love you and Mom too. And as a parent I am starting to understand just how much you love your children. One of the best things about having Sprite was that it made me feel so loved. Because I realized that the way I feel about her is the way you and Mom feel about me.
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