Last week I had the pleasure of being in the company of an elderly lady whom I can't help but admire.
Her soul mate, her life-long partner, her husband died about two years ago. Immediately thereafter she started having some serious health problems. (An incoincidental happening, in my mind.) She went through a rough period. Withdrawing. And curtailing the full life she had always enjoyed.
Long story short, there ensued a less than pleasant period in her life for her to work through.
It was evident during our recent visit that her strong spirit has rallied and her delightful personality has reappeared. Her beautiful snow-white hair was coiffed, her facial make-up was very attractive, her elegant red cardigan sweater matched her skillfully applied bright red lipstick. She was sharp as the proverbial tack and a cheery addition to the gathering. Her zest for life was back.
During our conversation she said, "Every morning when I wake up, I sit on the edge of the bed and ask myself if I would rather be happy or sad today. Do you know," she said, "that's a choice I have every day. And I choose to be happy."
Bless you, K! In making the choice you do, you broadcast joy and happiness into so many other lives.
Lesson learned: Keep wearin' that bright red lipstick!
HAPPY NEW YEAR, everyone. I have a feeling 2010 is going to be a good one!
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5 comments:
What a great outlook! So glad your friend is back amongst the living with a renewed zest! Happy New Year!
Oh I love it! This is such a good way to start the day. Thanks for sharing.
I am sure the pain is subsiding, and she is now grasping life again after her great loss. I am glad she is making the choice for joy!
Erin - Yes, isn't it amazing how good you feel when you're around someone like my friend . . . and how it can drag you right down by associating with a negative person? (We gotta watch who we hang out with!!)
Hi, Valerie - Kinda illustrates that each day is a new day and affords us an opportunity to do our best!
You're welcome.
Hi, Alice Grace - We all need to be given the chance to grieve in the way and for the amount of time that helps us. Not only was that time of her life so very difficult for her but also for the people who loved her. I was so thrilled to see her being able to make the choice for joy!
Thank you for commenting! Please stop by again. :o)
Such a lovely post to start the New Year! We have a dear friend who is grieving, too. She, too, struggles to make these choices every day, though for her the loss is very recent and many days the sadness is uppermost. Still, she has a marvelous sense of humour in the midst of her grief. I learn a great deal from her example--and we enjoy challenging each other towards even more laughter!
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