I was backing out of my garage and pressed the door mechanism. Nothing happened. Darn! I was eventually able to lower the door manually. I was late for my volunteer work that morning as I reflected on how much I take for granted that everything will work the way I want every day.
My garage door got fixed the next day. With the irritating event behind me, I thought about things that I take for granted. Later that week I learned that my mother’s cousin had passed away. I had intended to visit her sometime this summer. I took it for granted that, although she had health issues, she would be available when I had time this summer.
We never know when something will go wrong or when someone will face a crisis. I walk a fine line sometimes between worrying that something might happen and remaining optimistic that it will all be fine. It reminds me to think about each day as a gift of thankfulness and to make sure I do not lose out on opportunities that may be fleeting.
My last living aunt had a 90th birthday party near Chicago recently. When I received the invitation, my first thought was that I was not going. It was a long way to go, would be expensive, and I really did not want to make the trip. I reconciled that I would send a nice card. That decision, however, nagged at me as I wondered when, if not now, I would see my aunt as well as my cousins again.
I decided to go to the party. Using frequent flyer miles and assuring that I could get an Uber to and from the party was set. I would have a long day, which is something I would have done without a thought in my younger years.
My travel home did not go as well as planned but I am deeply thankful that I took this trip. Although I might know what I missed, I would have had a vexing regret that I had not seen my aunt at least one more time. In her retirement home family and friends surrounded her. Five of my cousins as well as my sister and her husband were there. The afternoon was a delightful chance to connect again, even though brief.
I am glad I did not ignore this birthday opportunity. I would have missed an occasion that will make me smile for days to come. Life is a matter of being grateful and not taking events, both big and small, for granted.
Well said. Thanks for the reminders of gratitude for little and big events as well as not taking much for granted.. big and little things.
I’m so glad you went! I’m sure it meant a lot to your aunt- and it obviously meant a lot to you! Learning to not take things/ people for granted is a challenging proposition- and often learned the hard way… glad this time you got to appreciate it in the moment.