Life’s good & bad times

original post date: 10/20/10

There are always good & bad times in all lives. Hey, it can be from the littlest things to the heartbreaking one. Kissing that “boo boo” because it hurts so much. Or holding someone when they cry their eyes out over the loss that just occurred. Helping a person when they have hit rock bottom. Smiling at the cutest little thing your child has done. Swinging around in hugging circles because you are so excited but don't have the words to express it. Laughing so hard you are crying or crying over the most amazing event. That is just simply life. We can say we just can’t take it any more or just aren’t getting enough. Either way, it is what is occurring in the world on a regular basis.

No, I don’t mean we should all be harsh about what is going on in others lives, or that we should compare their lives to ours for more understanding … that would make us all a bit harsh or really over-stressed. No, I am looking at this from an “one person view.” Because to be honest, I quit trying to understand others when I was back in high school. Have this slight memory where I am talking to the counselor and telling her that people are just not worth the effort to completely understand. Oh I have some sight on people, even I am not that self-centered, because otherwise I would be the hobbit (that I once considered becoming).

In some ways, what my really extended family does bothers me. BUT (yep there is always one of those, isn’t there?) when you haven’t had a person directly involved in your life on a regular basis, it pretty much makes it a mute point when you become an adult. Right? I don’t sit down and write everyone a cheery little email or letter about how things are going, but neither do I receive them. I have tried in the past to do the letter writing, let’s just say “what a joke” and move on.
Each of us was raised in a different environment, a different life style, and differently. Yes we were all taught the basics, but other than that … not much else was the same. Do I regret that, nope. Am I angry about it, nope. There are a ton of no’s I could list, but that really doesn’t help too much or make anyone feel all that great. So another move on.

Going from being able to do everything to “*&^*%(&)(*” limited, it really takes a blow to you. When you are use to being able to do something like grocery shop alone, it really sucks when you have to have someone with you to complete it. When you LOVE driving, yet you find yourself limited to short drives here and there, it can be devastating. Moving around with out the fear of getting bruised or hurt, is simply a blessing (more than you can imagine) to being worried because people tend to get the wrong idea when you are really bruised & in pain. Or my favorite, having just one doc and expanding to well over 5 well before you even turn 40 … well, that can really bring you down. Recovering from medical issues in your life, only to have some one use against you … sweet when someone tries to do it. (stupid when they look like a complete a$$!)
It comes down to really not looking like things are going to well for you. Today I told my dad “when I am your age I hope to be as healthy as you are, because you are out doing me now.” He laughed, teased me I have to get there 1st. Sad part is, I do have to get here 1st. Will I be watching my granddaughter and her cousins at that age or will they be wishing I was. Tomorrow is a day I cannot predict, nor do I want to. I enjoy the unpredictability of life. Of how it can surprise us with each twist & turn of the way to the end … yes, even our lives come to an end. But our memories don’t, that is the most interesting part. To be the story told your ever so great grandchildren. I am sure all of us have those tales that will be told, even if we don’t see them … someone does. That really counts, to be a positive memory.
I have taken those good & bad days on with full force. Enjoying the good, and fighting though the bad. Trying to be there for those in my life when they have them, as well. (Not always an easy task … ) I enjoy laughing until I cry, and have done it more than a few times. I enjoy watching my children do the silliest things, and those nerve racking ones as well. I have kissed many “boo boo” and will probably kiss a few more. I try to teach my children that family isn’t just those around you, there are others who are just a phone call, letter, email or text message away.

The one thing I really hope my children understand is that those bad days are just as important as the good. They help shape us. Give us a view on life in a unique, and entirely personal way. The good give us the joy, happiness, and all the emotions that occur. The bad, we know how we feel on those days. That is what keeps us balanced. All 100% cheerful days, and what all would we have learned? All 100% sad days, and were mankind would be won’t be such a great place to live in. A balance between the two is always the best way to go, and hope for.