My sister wrote those words to me in a text recently. Her husband was not feeling well and we were considering canceling our sisters’ getaway. At any time in life, unforeseen circumstances can alter your world on a dime. As we get older, these surprises become more common or even expected.
Such is life.
There is a gentle and beautiful acceptance within those words – at least to my way of thinking. Not resignation, just a knowing and accepting that life is full of change. Some good, some not so good. Fighting it and bemoaning the changes won’t alter a thing, but will certainly bring you down, wasting precious time. I think age tends to mellow that old fight, or at least I hope it does.
Speaking of surprises, a few weeks ago nearly to the end of our home updating projects, I had to have an emergency appendectomy. Ouch! And, great timing. I’ll admit, I wasn’t as grace-filled as my sister when we had to alter our plans and delay the last of the house projects for a few more days, and put off a getaway that Michael and I were so looking forward to. But with enough time, I gave in and just focused on healing. Things don’t always go according to plan.
Such is life.
With all the house projects we took on this Summer now completed (thank goodness) and my healing on track, I have found myself felling a bit “stalled.” Not sensing a clear direction – with my blog or anything else. Since we essentially put real life on hold while invaders came into our house to paint and do floors and cabinets and clean, then add to that my little surgical “adventure,” I find myself spinning a bit, trying to get a foothold again.
Such is life.
Sometimes you’re on it, knowing where each foot will land, what each day brings, what next step to take. Other times, you have to float for a while and trust that you’ll find your way back.
Even though it’s a little uncomfortable, I’ve come to see these episodes in my life as a good omen. I believe it’s my subconscious giving me a kick in the fanny to do something – get creative – be more active – meditate – spend time in nature — just do somethingto facilitate a breakthrough. It’s easy to be lulled into complacency when things are going well. But complacency is not a good thing. It allows us to pass our days without really experiencing them. Even if the experience is not what you want, it is still a part of your life and can be embraced without becoming the worst of it.
Such is life.
So even though one sister was not able to physically join the other two in our annual sisters’ night because of real life challenges, we improvised with a video chat to make sure that our much-loved tradition is not lost. The three of us were still together, we still had time to talk and laugh and enjoy that sister connection that is an important part of each of us.
This is the part of being this age that I LOVE. You know what’s most important in your life, your focus is clearer, there’s more time to truly indulge in what matters, and going with the flow comes easier. Because you know . . .
. . . such is life.
Till next time,Judy