Hope Love Live...
  • Home
  • About Me
  • ESSAYS
  • Caregiving
  • Contact me!

What Matters

12/9/2014

 
Picture






















Every Thanksgiving my entire family comes together to celebrate what has become my favorite holiday. It is our tradition every year to take turns saying what we are thankful for.  It takes a long time as there are usually 25 of us, but it is such a treat to hear people say what they are grateful for and what has made them happy over the past year.  There are always tears, a lot of laughter, and a sweet feeling of family camaraderie. This year, a few of the speeches weighed heavily on me and made me reflect on what really matters in life.

My younger brother started the evening off with an announcement that he and his wife, Sally are expecting another little one in May.  This was the best news of the night, especially since it was only 5 weeks ago that he nearly lost his only child in a freak accident that still baffles my mind.  My little niece is a joyful addition to our family and we count our blessings that she not only survived but is happy, healthy, and continues to be a bright light in each of our lives. 

When it was my son's turn. I choked up with what he had to say, because I didn't realize the profound impact the Isla Vista shootings, that took place Memorial Day weekend this year, had on him and his classmates. The impact of that night was far-reaching. Although he knew people who witnessed the shootings, he is so grateful that he and his friends were not physically harmed. 
 
But the best speech of the night, in my opinion, was the one my daughter gave. In addition to saying what we were thankful for, each of us had a different question to answer and the question she had was "what is your favorite family memory?"  If she had been asked that question three years ago she might have said that her best memories were those that happened in Europe or Hawaii.  Now, she says that some of her fondest memories were those that took place with her father when he was in the hospital for three months. It didn't matter that she was inside the walls of a hospital-an inherently sad, and depressing place-she was just grateful to spend some quality, one-on-one time with her "Diddy."   She summarized by saying that it isn't what you have or where you go that matters, but who you get to spend your life with...that is what really matters. 

It dawned on me that each of the people who's speeches impacted me the most were the people who nearly lost a loved-one or someone dear to them, and much like myself came face-to-face with what could have been a devastating loss.  But what was special was the epiphany each of them had about what really matters. Sometimes it's the small and simple things shared with those that we love, that can give us the most gratification. I know for me my "bliss" is as simple as snuggling up with my family talking or watching a TV program that we all enjoy. That's what make me the happiest...something so simple, yet so beautiful.
I think that is the way it is for most people.  Once they figure out what is truly important to them, and they live it, then happiness is sure to come.

Carey
12/11/2014 05:28:35 am

Totally agree, certain events in life surely help define "what matters". It then becomes interesting how one reconciles with what did not make "the list". I find a serious purge follows, shedding one's life of those insignificant activities that once held one's attention. All good experiences.

Denise
12/13/2014 03:21:06 am

Carey, I'm sure you've had a similar experience. You do seem very grounded! XXXOOOO


Comments are closed.

    Picture

    Author

      I'm the proud mother of two wonderful children, and the loving wife & caregiver of my husband, who suffered a catastrophic spinal cord injury during an ocean accident 10 years ago. I want to share our story and the profound impact it's had on our lives. I hope you will find my entries/blogs interesting, thought-provoking, and perhaps helpful should tragedy or hard-times every strike. 


    If you would like alerts when I write new posts, enter email below!

    Enter your email address:

    Delivered by FeedBurner


    Picture

    BLOG

    CONTACT ME

    Archives

    May 2023
    June 2022
    September 2017
    May 2017
    June 2016
    May 2016
    March 2016
    January 2016
    November 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly