Last Friday I hosted my quilting bee. For years, like clockwork, these ladies have come to my home once a month to sit and quilt and share quilting news. Occasionally we work on each other's projects, but usually we work on our own quilts as we sit and chat.
This should have been like any other of a hundred visits, but it was special. Very special. We were rejoicing that one of our members had lived through a heart attack less than two weeks earlier. She was with us, talking about her experience. She was clear on how serious it had been, but her natural good humor was underlying everything she said, and she was GLAD to be among us.
We are not young women, but neither do we consider ourselves to be old. Don't let the fact that we quilt make you think we are little old gray haired ladies. And that's the rub. We all thought we were too young to have to worry about heart attacks.
Now, we feel mortal. We look at our friends and family differently, because we know that we could loose them, or we could die without warning. It makes you reconsider what's important. I've just spent hours getting ready for a bridal shower. Perhaps, instead, I should have been spending time with my family.
Today I made sure to talk to each person. Each one got a hug, and plans were made to get together again, soon. My goal is to get past the trivial conversations, and get to know them better.
Since I don't know when my time will be up, the only option I have is to make the best use I can of the time I have left. What does that mean for you? How would you best use your time? It's something I need to ponder.
Comments (9)
Pay more attention but be careful not to obsess or develope tunnel vision or you loose a LOT of what else is happening. Enjoy, but live, don't just stay alive.
Posted by Wichi Dude | September 7, 2003 10:06 PM
Posted on September 7, 2003 22:06
Buffy, my philosophy on life is to do what you can do to help your fellow man within the limits of your capabilities.
To those that you hold dear, let them know by your words and actions NOW that you do, not tomorrow or the day after. Those days may never come.
It is the little things in life that count, a word of encouragement, a favour in a time of need, someone to talk to when you are down. That sort of thing.
Last but not least, try not to be too quick to judge others, put yourself in the other persons position before being too quick to cast a guilty verdict.
Despite my saying these things, it is not always as simple as it may sound, but as I get more mature (older), I tend to think about life a lot.
Glad that your friend managed to survive the adversity of the haart attack.
Posted by Dr. D. | September 7, 2003 10:19 PM
Posted on September 7, 2003 22:19
...no-one ever sezs (on their deathbed) "I wish I'd spent more time at work!"...prioritise...what is really *really* important...as I have found out in the last year it ain't money, job, success...in my case it was wife, kids, friendships...and so I've worked on those...[notice I have more friends now - but *not* more kids or wives :^)]...
Posted by billy | September 8, 2003 5:13 AM
Posted on September 8, 2003 05:13
Morning!
Posted by Eloon | September 8, 2003 6:20 AM
Posted on September 8, 2003 06:20
Morning!
Posted by Eloon | September 8, 2003 6:20 AM
Posted on September 8, 2003 06:20
Guess one of the reasons I started the bramble rambles (the walks to the river, not the blog)was to share time with my youngest son - I wanted to see him experience the wonder of catching a lizard or learning how to pick up a crayfish without getting pinched. The same reason thta after 24 years I still like to hold hands with Miss Penny when we walk...
One of the best lessons I learned was to say "I love you" and "I'm sorry" freely - keeps people close, which is a god place to have them.
AS for your comment at my place, spend a wwekend here and you would love the critters too - well maybe not, Miss Penny isn't all that thrilled after 24 years...But at least you wouldn't run screaming from the room.
Posted by PJ | September 8, 2003 6:10 PM
Posted on September 8, 2003 18:10
my freudian slip is showing - that should be "good", but I think God works there too...
Posted by PJ | September 8, 2003 6:12 PM
Posted on September 8, 2003 18:12
PJ, when I read your comment, my first thought was that despite being a typo, it worked.
Thank you, all of you, for your insight. It's nice to see how others deal with an issue like this. Now go hug a loved one! *S*
Posted by Buffy | September 9, 2003 12:22 PM
Posted on September 9, 2003 12:22
PJ, when I read your comment, my first thought was that despite being a typo, it worked.
Thank you, all of you, for your insight. It's nice to see how others deal with an issue like this. Now go hug a loved one! *S*
Posted by Buffy | September 9, 2003 12:23 PM
Posted on September 9, 2003 12:23