COUNTING BLESSINGS
Several months ago I had shared this photo with Robin’s quote on Facebook after ending a long hard relationship where I felt more alone being with that particular man than I do now that I’m actually alone. I could relate in a deep and emotional way to his words, and I still can. Now, however, I find it so sad to hear how Robin supposedly decided the only way to cope with the suffering and demons he must have been dealing with in his own life, was to just give up. I can relate to that, too, in some ways. It’s so very hard to be strong sometimes. It’s overwhelming at times. Life is so hard.
Having just lost a beloved family member–unexpectedly and much too young–two weeks ago today, I find myself once again wondering how we are expected to pick up the pieces and move on after suffering such a devastating loss. But, then something that seems so insignificant in the big scheme of life happens, like hearing my youngest grandson laugh while he’s jumping on the trampoline with his friends, seeing my very elderly parents kiss one another good morning, or the sweet melody of my oldest grandson playing a beautiful song that his mother used to love on his guitar down in my garage where he has set up a make-shift music room while he’s in town until after we have her memorial service next week. And, I’m reminded all over again that no matter how hard it seems–no matter how much I just feel like giving up sometimes–those simple and small things that happen casually in our everyday lives matter so much more than all of the hardships. Once again I realize it’s worth all the pain, the loss, the loneliness and the heartbreak, because we are still here, together, and we are creating more cherished memories every single moment of every day that we are here.
I am so blessed to be surrounded by all these amazing people, young and old, family and friends, and the ones we’ve lost who have touched our lives so deeply. It’s just so unfortunate that sometimes it is only tragedy that makes us realize how lucky we truly are. ♡
