The sun sets on another day…
Sunset spread a dim haze across the horizon. I could not tell land nor sea nor sky, just shades of white as I looked out upon it all. Somewhere high above I knew the sky was riddled with color, and here below, I still enjoyed the moment.
Ever consider how lucky you are?
My story for the night:
Somewhere in the midst of the night I stopped to pick up pizza. We have a sad little Pizza Hut close, and I ordered my pizza and a small sampling of cheese bread and patiently waited for my order to arrive. I sat far away from everyone else and began watching yet another version of A Christmas Carol even though Christmas was yesterday.
I may have never said it but I have been fascinated by Christmas stories this year and by the things that go bump in the night and what better story of both than Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol. As I sat watching I noticed people as I always do and, in my position, I could see everyone and was a distance enough away that I thought no one paid attention to me. I watched the young mother with the child waiting for pizzas. The obvious DoorDash driver waited as well. Several others came in and out and a man wearing a veteran’s cap set to the side leaning against the wall.
As I watched the movie, I noticed the movement and the veteran had walked to my table and when I acknowledged him and closed my phone, he sat down across from me as I bid him Merry Christmas. What followed was interesting simply because I asked for nothing and just enjoyed the conversation only by starting that I appreciated his service.
He told me he had to get out for just a moment to get a pizza or do something. He lived close and he had asked a neighbor to watch his wife for a moment. He explained that his wife would have to be moved to a home soon because she could no longer remember him nor how to use a phone or even do simple things around the house. I listened and I let him know that I was sorry for the difficulties he was going through. He further explained that he had no real friends in the area and did not grow up here. He could no longer hunt or fish, the things he moved here for, and was a constant companion to his declining wife. They had been together for 51 years and he was thankful for the moments, thankful for the time, thankful for it all.
He asked me a simple question, “when will I know that it’s OK to put her somewhere who can care for her better?” and I had no real answer. I told him that he would know and that it was no one else’s decision but his, but he would know. The questions were raised in my mind, but they called his name, he picked up his food, and he left waving to me as he walked out the door.
My questions to you are simple: do you realize the gifts that you have been given or look at the negatives that have been laid at your feet? Do you see how others can face difficulties and find a way to see positives in even that? Do you realize the positives that You have been given always?
I know there are quite a few more.
Take a breath and think about it.
So as the sun sets on another day, there is a lot to be thankful for. There’s a lot to consider every day. Mostly, there is a lot in this world that we don’t see and the lot that we don’t understand. Open your heart and realize the world is far more special than you think and when you think you have it bad someone is having a better day and someone may be having one far worse. Approach the day with positivity and make sure that each day is special, no matter what.
Sleep sweet, love life, and be thankful…