During the school year, my kids attend a weekly religion class at our church. Last year, when we met one of my son's teachers I knew immediately that I liked her. She was one of those people that just made a fantastic first impression. She was exuberant and had the warmest personality. It was obvious she loved children and I was glad to know she would be teaching my son.
After only one or two classes, she was diagnosed with cancer and was forced to quit volunteering her time at church. I didn't see her after that and since I didn't really know her well, I didn't keep up on how she was doing. At one point, I had heard she was doing well and feeling pretty good. After that, I didn't think much of it.
Sadly, this past weekend we heard that she lost her battle to this awful disease. I learned things about her I never knew. She was just 40 years old and had five children -- all of them still at home, the oldest in high school, the youngest around my son's age. I also learned that she made the same impression on many others that she had made on me. I feel certain she touched many lives in a positive way during her 40 short years on this earth.
Why do I share all of this? Because to me, hearing this news has made me very thoughtful this week. It has been a reality check for me -- something we all need from time to time. It has given me the push to reflect a little more on what is truly important and it has served as a reminder that the day-to-day things that often cause us frustration just really aren't worth the anguish.
As I have gotten older, situations in my life have changed me. I tend to be anxious and feel stressed in many situations. I get overwhelmed. I used to be MUCH more laid back and try as I might to be laid back now, I tend to let anxiety or stress get the best of me. It makes me really sad that I have become this way. So when I hear about lives cut short, it makes me realize -- I need to calm down. I need to take a deep breath and not be so stressed out. I need to enjoy the little moments of each and every day instead of worrying so darn much. There are a lot of things to be worried about, it's true -- but there's only so much you can do in most cases. And it certainly shouldn't take the joy from your life. Life is too darn short.
Here's hoping YOU are enjoying your weekend and that you are not a stressed out worrier like me! I STILL have not been visiting my friends on their blogs (I blame Facebook! LOL) -- but I think of you all often and will continue to try to stop by and see what you're up to! Have a great day!
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10 comments:
So sorry about your friend Rita...and too true we should all always try to focus on the positive!!
Me, too. I need to step back sometimes and realize that all the stress and worry doesn't amount to a bag of beans. I tend to chase the thought of "someday" things will be better than they are now. Maybe I AM living that "someday" right now. Life IS too short. I want to enjoy it as much as possible. Sorry to hear about losing her. It hits so close to home when we hear of this kind of thing happening to someone close to our ages.
Such true words Rita and sadly I think it takes something like this for most of us to wake up and 'smell the roses'. You enjoy your weekend too my friend.
Thank you for posting this Rita....we all need to slow down and appreciate what we have in life.
So sorry to hear about your friend Rita! It certainly makes us reflect back on our own lives when we lose someone we know at such a young age. As my children have grown older I have often thought about what advice others have given me; to make the most of the time you have with your children. Hope you're having a stress-less weekend!
Rita, I have to say I am a worrier and stressor like you. Just can't help it. But will say that the one thing that has helped me is yoga! And also going for long walks for exercise when I can. "when I can" being the key here because these walks have to be BY MYSELF!
I'm sorry to hear about their teacher. It is a reality check, isn't it?
Yep, life can be cruel, but if you allow yourself to be sucked up into it and fret & stress, it will get you. Of course this doesn't mean to live a life without compassion and heartfelt, it only means, that sometimes, it is what it is, and we just need to embrace it and let it go, and move on. Life is too short to dwell in a single moment.
So sorry to hear about the loss, we always lose good people.
Sometimes I feel like I am always onto the kids, just for being kids. I agree. We all should take time to appreciate life and eachother.
Soory to hear about your friend. Lst year was not a good year for me either. I lost my 30yr old cousin to a heart attack, another cousin lost his 37 year old wife in a fatal motorbike accident and a friend had just beome a widow at age 43. It def makes you want to appreciate the here & now.
I totally understand what you are going through... I have friend who was diaganosed with cancer a couple of months ago and seeing him go through it is very tough, it makes you think twice about the things we take for granted...
{{hugs}}
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