BIG little Things
Here it comes, that time of year when we gather with friends and family, give thanks and eat lots. If you’re Canadian like me, you’ll appreciate me saying, “again”.
It typically moves so fast, and all that meticulous prep, all the planning all the communication with loved ones, all the travel, is over and done with in an instant.
This year is different.
This year we're not concerning ourselves with the usual stressors. We're not grumbling about traffic, the line up at the grocer store, getting ticked off about being on hold for an hour, or an appointment having to be rescheduled. I don't care if I get a haircut or nails done or my office is a mess. (Truth is I seldom care if my nails are "pretty").
This year, with the advancement of my husband's dementia, we're focused on small simple things. BIG little things.
Like a hug. Like laughter. Big ole' belly laughter. Feeling our legs walk under our bodies and long shadows as the sun sets. The smell of fresh air and a good deep breath. The warmth of the sun on our faces, hearing a bird's call, a neighbor's child giggle. A reliable car and good medical care. MUSIC! Sometimes loud, sometimes soft, always a well loved tune from the past. Having friends and family who care about us and caring about friends and family we love.
This year I still get to hold hands with my husband and hear him express how lucky he feels despite the disease ravaging his brain. A disease that makes him forget how to put arms in sleeves, where to put the silverware, and get mixed up about what's just occurred and what is to happen in the hours or days ahead.
Life is so hard sometimes, yet gratitude is so easy.
There is such peace in the simplicity of things around us. There is peace in accepting the here and now, seeing sliver linings in every situation, being present in every moment, and recognizing what's really important.
What simple things are you grateful for? I hope your list is long enough to wrap around the world. I'll bet if you give it some thought, it would.
With gratitude,
“Joy comes to us in ordinary moments.
We risk missing out when we get too busy chasing down the extraordinary. ”
~ Brene Brown