I’ve heard this song so many times. Yet not until this month’s events did it take on a little more meaning. So far this month, my best friend’s mother passed away (she was like a second mom to me growing up), I was in a minor car accident (everyone is fine), Pookie had a health scare and spent the night in the emergency vet hospital (she’s ok, but we’re still trying to figure it all out), and then I had an issue with my car (fixed now). Just over two weeks in and this month has really shaken things up. This song by Old Dominion has been bouncing around in my head and it is making me really look at things differently.
Through the stress and tears, I’ve been focusing on how grateful I am for the people in my life. Thankfully, I have the kindest employers (as well as an emergency savings account) and I was able to fly down to Florida for 3 days to be with my friend and her family. It was hard and happy and sad and soul-filling. They told stories about her and we celebrated her life. I am so lucky to have been able to be a part of it.
As for Pookie… that emergency savings came in handy once again. We took her to the emergency vet and they tested her blood and urine. We were going to take her home with some pain meds – because maybe this is all from pain? – but as I thought more and more about it, I realized if something happened to her while we were sleeping, I’d never forgive myself. We spent the extra money to have her taken care of through the night. And I don’t regret it one bit. Money can really hold you back in situations like that. I’m glad that we had the funds to do the right thing for her.
The car accident and my car issue (separate events, different cars) just made me glad that I am responsible and careful. The accident wasn’t my fault. The car issue was an easy fix and that emergency fund was helpful to have once again. I’m so grateful for Paul in this scenario (and with Pookie). I would not have been able to handle all of that without him. He fixed my car within an hour.
While thinking about all that had happened, I was looking for a lesson. Why was this happening? What was the universe trying to show me or teach me? This is where I landed…
Are you telling the people you love that you love them? Are you showing them? Are you taking 5 extra minutes to do something nice for them? Do you express your appreciation for them in a way that they can hear you?
I wasn’t. At least not as much as I could have been. But after all of this, I am. And I’m sure over weeks the feelings from this month’s misfortunes will fade and I’ll forget, and we’ll bicker about dumb things that mean absolutely nothing in the grand scheme of life. But I hope I have the foresight to come back to this post, this feeling, and remind myself that things could be different. I could lose that person, that furry family member, that bank account. So fast. I need to remember. We all do.
And another thing on my mind with all of this – What are you dreaming of doing that you are putting off? Why? Can you do it soon?
What if you got a life sentence tomorrow, a terminal disease? What would you change if you knew your days were numbered?
Because our days ARE numbered. But none of us know what number that is. So, do those things. Stop procrastinating for fear or whatever it is that holds you back. DO them. Responsibly – save, plan, etc. – but DO them.
Hug them. Tell them. Love them. Forgive them. Apologize. Take initiative. Heal.
Life is too short.
Make it sweet. ❤
Raising LeBar 