There are days when I wake up and think, ‘that was a poxy sleep’, closely followed by, ‘it’s raining again’. Even though I’m generally a happy person there are times a plethora of negative thoughts swirl around me and I feel generally irritated and fed up.
This morning was such a morning. The August bank holiday has been and gone. There was monsoon rain on Sunday and the weekend in general was dismal, weather wise. This morning as I got ready to go for a walk it began to rain again. I flipped.
‘This bloody country’.
So I opened my laptop and went on facebook. This is what I saw.
There is a light that never goes out
This is posted by the charity Aoibheanns Pink Tie when another little warrior from St John’s Ward loses the fierce, tireless battle they were fighting.
It was telling me that as I had spent my time moaning about the weekend weather, there was a family going through the most painful of times, saying goodbye to their child.
It’s not that long ago since Daniel was that young warrior.
Tonight as I post I am keeping that family in my thoughts, sharing a place with young Danny and Ben. It’s not that I ever forget how much they are missed, but sometimes I need a reminder to take the time to appreciate health and happiness, for neither is guaranteed.
My thoughts on a page. 
You’re very right, as usual. The other day, as Anderson and I drove back home on the last day of our road trip, we came upon a point where the traffic on the freeway was at a complete standstill. I figured it was an accident and it had probably just happened because the traffic was just then stopping. I thought we were probably a mile or so back from the accident. I was a little annoyed. Then five minutes went by with no movement. Then everyone on the freeway turned off their motors. People got out of their cars. Then emergency vehicles started to pass us on the right shoulder and we all knew that it was indeed an accident. We were at a complete standstill for over an hour. We were all annoyed. Our trips had been interrupted. Then it hit me. Up ahead, someone’s life had been interrupted. I didn’t know the circumstances and I didn’t know if the person/people had survived the accident but surely, their lives had been interrupted, not just inconvenienced.
It put a whole different light on the subject. I need to keep in mind that my minor inconveniences can be someone’s life altering experiences. And then I need to say a little prayer for them and for their families.
That’s it in a nutshell Corina. We forget that life can change in a moment, forever.
How lucky you have had this amazing time with your grandson.
I’ve been thinking of this family at times today, remembering how it was for Daniels family and friends and counting my blessings.
this is a very timely post, tric
weekend before last, I was perched precariously atop a ladder, stretching, twisting, and straining to lop some of the height off a couple of pine trees, with the results that I have been suffering with a sore back ever since – and feeling pretty sorry for myself
then my newsfeed on streetlife.com (a facebook type social network to connect with other folk in one’s neighbouhood) included a plea from a pensioner who was looking for a wheelchair for his wife who had been admitted to hospital after breaking a vertebrae in her back
well, since Anita died, the wheelchair I bought for her has been gathering dust in the spare room, so I contacted the guy and invited him round to collect it – {I would have delivered it but I don’t drink and drive, and I’d had a
fewcouple of glasses of red by then] 😳a few days later, a friend came round to see if my back was any better, and noticed the wheelchair was gone
I explained that I had passed it on to a guy who needed it for his wife
in response to her query, i explained i’d given it him for free
she was bemused, and we had a lengthy conversation in which I tried to explain why I had given away something that had cost me a lot of money to buy
she didn’t understand, but I think you would – because the irish and scots are so alike
I was not out of pocket through this transaction – I had been paid two-fold
firstly, by being reminded that however sorry I may feel for myself, there are others whose suffering is worse and
secondly, I was rewarded with the knowledge that my small action had made a big difference to the life of someone else
one of my mum’s favourite sayings when my sister or myself were complaining about something or other was . . .
‘there’s aye some bugger worse aff than yersel’
and my dad was the union leader at work, so me and my sister were brought up with the notion to share what we have with those who have not
I know they would have done the same as me !
i’ve gone off on a bit of a ramble – maybe in part due to a
fewcouple of glasses of red to dull the pain in my back – just want to say that we all have moments when we feel less than enthusiastic about our situation and need agood kick up the arsereminder that we are well off compared to others !I replied to your comment last night, but I see now it magically disappeared. I completely understand what you did. I’m sure Anita and your family would be delighted to know her wheelchair was being used to make life easier for someone else. Well done you, it would have been easier to do nothing.
Sorry to hear about your back but at least it’s not your drinking arm.
Last night on your behalf I toasted your generosity at about 10.30, but as you hadn’t got my comment and didn’t realise we were sharing a toast to you and Anita, I’ll just have to do it all over again tonight.
I’m just home from the yearly mass in the graveyard. It is sobering to stand in the rain by your friend and her family remembering a smiling 13 year old who never got the chance to live the crazy life the rest of us take for granted.
This post, and the comments following, are examples of what tie us together as humans. It’s the part that matters. Our compassion. Our ability to reason-and use it. We need these realizations, perspectives, reminders. But mostly, our feelings and desires and willingness to help one another.
Yes we all have such a capacity to make life for others easier, which would enhance our own lives to. We just need to pause and think.
Sometimes we get so annoyed with life’s little hurdles, we forget there are bigger hurdles that others face. A reminder like this. puts everything into perspective.
Indeed, as you well know. Thank you.
Beautiful Tric, the first blog piece I have read in a while and it really touched me Hun. Life is just so precious irrespective of the weather or tough days. We really do have to appreciate it all, thanks for sharing. RIP little angels xx
Thank you Grainne. Life is indeed often no picnic, but it is precious. Lovely to see you call by, you were missed.
yes, we all need those reminders now and then, to feel gratitude for what we have.