Some days it's so easy to forget that others have stress in their lives just like we do, it's just that theirs is probably different from ours, and they may not choose to share it with us. Other days, we are reminded that everyone has at least a few weeds in their yard.
This morning I got a Facebook message from a friend I haven't seen in a while. That's a good thing, right? But it wasn't... She was letting me know that another friend, whom I'd totally lost track of a few years ago, recently died of a sudden embolism. She was, I believe, younger than I am.
Later this morning, I called the nursing center to talk to my mom. I was chatting with the lady who answered the phone; she was the admitting clerk last year when my mom and grandmother were there, and we got to be very friendly. Normally she is laughing and happy, with a huge smile for whomever she is dealing with. When I asked her how her weekend was, she paused... then told me that she was exhausted because her son, who has PTSD and lives too far away for her to just drive over there, had an episode yesterday, and she was up half the night on the phone with him and his girlfriend, who is having real trouble dealing with this issue. I can't blame her; I don't know how I would handle it, but it probably wouldn't be very well.
I feel so blessed right now. Yes, my mom had heart surgery last year and broke her hip this year, but the first is healed and the second is healing, and we expect her to go home sometime next month (fingers crossed). Yes, my husband has permanent physical and neurological issues that have caused him to be classified as permanently disabled, but overall he is still functioning "normally" in the world and does not need someone with him all the time. Yes, I'm not really happy in my current job/career situation, but at least I have the ability to work and function in a variety of positions, and the people I work with are pleasant to be around. And my son, who nearly died from a subdural hematoma when he was 14, and who turned 25 this year, did NOT go into the Marines when he graduated from high school, as he had planned, and for that I am extremely grateful.
So, I just want to say, spend some time today thinking about the good things that are happening in your life right now, today, this week, this month. Because sometimes the grass really IS greener right here where you are.
Oh Lucretia... BIG HUG! This is a reminder why when someone is acting like a huff-n-puff, we all need to take a moment and be calm; we have no idea what weight they're carrying... or what their grass looks like as you put it.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was diagnosed with Ménière's disease, it sounded like one of the worst things in the world... but potential loss led me to my current occupation which I adore, vertigo reminds me that I'm stressed and that I need to slow down, and the ringing in my ears just reminds me that I'm alive.
As they say about dandelions-- some see a weed; some see a wish. Hang in there, dear one.
Oh, my, that's a nasty one, I'm sorry to hear that! But it sounds like you have taken the lemons and made some lemonade out of them. I salute you for that! :-)
DeleteAnd although they are frequently upsetting, I really do appreciate life's occasional little reminders that I'm not the only one with problems, as they make me look harder at my blessings.
Hugs to you!
We are what we live ... so it is best for us to concentrate on the positive side of things as much as we can. It sounds like you are doing just that!
ReplyDeleteVery true! But at the same time, we do need to acknowledge the negative things and our reactions to them, otherwise we end up stuffing them, which isn't good, either. I sure don't want to become the Hulk! ;-)
DeleteHugs! Yeah i have had many friends having hard times that make mine look a lot smaller. We all have our battles to fight. Hugs, I hope things improve!
ReplyDeleteThanks! And whatever battle you are fighting, I hope they get smaller starting today! Hugs back!
DeleteYou're so right, it is important to consider the struggles and stresses of other people. It is good to do so to remind oneself of the gifts life has given you (ability to walk, to work, to talk, etc.), but I also find it good in dealing with people emphatically. If you have empathy for people's conditions, it really is hard to stay mad at them. I'll take it as far as rationalizing or excusing people's people's bad behavior because of what they might be experiencing in their personal lives (it of course doesn't mean I won't call them on it, or allow abuse). If someone cuts me off in traffic, why would I waste my time being upset? Maybe that person is having a truly horrible day and didn't intend to be rude. We've all been there.
ReplyDeleteYes, indeed. When I think about it, I can usually find at least one possible reason why someone might have done something that affected me or others badly. Even if the behavior can't be excused, knowing or imagining a possible reason for it does tend to help me be more compassionate and get over things faster. And that helps keep ME from doing something like it because I'm upset! Either way, we win. :-)
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