I've been pondering this message for a couple days--whether it made
sense to send it or not. Maybe this won't connect with anyone, but
maybe it will.
I've spent a lot of time with family over the past week: family that's
sick or dying. Here's the rundown:
- 91 YO grandfather with end-stage CHF
- 87 YO grandmother with Alzheimers' disease
- 68 YO father who is in a nursing home, and had both legs removed
because of diabetes
- Father-in-law of best friend (87 YO) who is having 4-way bypass and
a valve replacement as I write.
I'm not writing because I'm looking for sympathy...but because seeing
everyone has hammered home the message that life is too darned short
to argue with people, and get bent out of shape when people don't do
what I think they should.
And the fact that tomorrow is the 2-yr. anniversary of 9/11 just puts
the finishing touch on my feelings.
IMHO, the most important things in life are family, loving and being
loved, and enjoying the gifts you've been given. I know we sometimes
get divisive and backbiting in the wreck, but hey...we're an extended
e-family here. And you all have families and friends in the real
world, too...
So, my unsolicited advice...take the time tell someone you love them.
Apologize (even if you're not wrong) if it'll help mend a broken
relationship. Get in touch with God (if you believe) and talk to him
like an old friend. Call someone you haven't called in a while.
Approach work with the attitude that, while it pays the bills, it
ain't the be-all/end-all. Spend more time celebrating your successes
than fretting over your mistakes. And take some time to figure out
what matters most in your life, and then do it--no matter the
consequences (side note: "First Things First" by Hyrum Smith is
helping me figure this out for myself). And most important...make a
LOT of sawdust! (C:
That's just what I'm thinking right now. Hope it makes you think,
too.
Jim
"PC Gameplayer" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I've been pondering this message for a couple days--whether it made
> sense to send it or not. Maybe this won't connect with anyone, but
> maybe it will.
>
Glad you did!
It resonates very well here.
Thank you.
Only thing better is to have 'em delivered at her job. That way she gets to
gloat on you to all the others....
"Silvan" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Ron Magen wrote:
>
> > Mike,
> > Don't you just love that, "Now what has he been up to ??" expression on
> > her face ?
>
> Yeah, it was sort of precious actually. I stuffed the flowers up the back
> of my shirt. When I walked in, I asked her to give me a hug. She was
> sitting on the couch with a bunch of stuff on her lap, and she was
slightly
> annoyed at having to get up, until she felt the telltale crinkle. Then
her
> face lit up. It was money well spent.
>
Amen Jim. There's nothing so much fun as sitting on the floor with your
grandchild watching Barney and getting into the songs and excitement.
My loss is that I was always too busy to do that with my kids. But they
love me anyway.
mahalo,
jo4hn
p.s. And no, my grandson is NOT in his 20s.
PC Gameplayer wrote:
> I've been pondering this message for a couple days--whether it made
[snip]
Jim:
With utmost sympathy I offer two thoughts:
1. No offense, but life is too LONG to spend it arguing with people, holding
grudges, etc.
2. Read "Tuedays with Morrie," the most life-affirmning book I've seen.
Bob
"PC Gameplayer" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I've been pondering this message for a couple days--whether it made
> sense to send it or not. Maybe this won't connect with anyone, but
> maybe it will.
>
> I've spent a lot of time with family over the past week: family that's
> sick or dying. Here's the rundown:
>
> - 91 YO grandfather with end-stage CHF
> - 87 YO grandmother with Alzheimers' disease
> - 68 YO father who is in a nursing home, and had both legs removed
> because of diabetes
> - Father-in-law of best friend (87 YO) who is having 4-way bypass and
> a valve replacement as I write.
>
> I'm not writing because I'm looking for sympathy...but because seeing
> everyone has hammered home the message that life is too darned short
> to argue with people, and get bent out of shape when people don't do
> what I think they should.
> And the fact that tomorrow is the 2-yr. anniversary of 9/11 just puts
> the finishing touch on my feelings.
>
> IMHO, the most important things in life are family, loving and being
> loved, and enjoying the gifts you've been given. I know we sometimes
> get divisive and backbiting in the wreck, but hey...we're an extended
> e-family here. And you all have families and friends in the real
> world, too...
>
> So, my unsolicited advice...take the time tell someone you love them.
> Apologize (even if you're not wrong) if it'll help mend a broken
> relationship. Get in touch with God (if you believe) and talk to him
> like an old friend. Call someone you haven't called in a while.
> Approach work with the attitude that, while it pays the bills, it
> ain't the be-all/end-all. Spend more time celebrating your successes
> than fretting over your mistakes. And take some time to figure out
> what matters most in your life, and then do it--no matter the
> consequences (side note: "First Things First" by Hyrum Smith is
> helping me figure this out for myself). And most important...make a
> LOT of sawdust! (C:
>
> That's just what I'm thinking right now. Hope it makes you think,
> too.
>
> Jim
Hey Bob:
> 1. No offense, but life is too LONG to spend it arguing with people, holding
> grudges, etc.
I'd agree with that view as well. The bottom line is that arguing and
holding grudges hurts us way more than it does the other person.
> 2. Read "Tuedays with Morrie," the most life-affirmning book I've seen.
I'm headed for vacation in 3 weeks, 2 days (but who's counting?), and
this is in the stack of books I'm taking with me. Thanks for the
recommendation.
And if anyone's keeping score: my gf had a shunt put in to make it
easier to give him medicine and drain fluid from his lungs, so he's
better. And the father of a friend who had bypass surgery--it was
longer than expected, but he's recovering well. Life is good. (C:
Now, if I can just get down into the basement to finish the miter
table I'm working on...
Jim
PC Gameplayer wrote:
> So, my unsolicited advice...take the time tell someone you love them.
Heh, I guess we *are* on the same wavelength in some way. I bought SWMBO
some flowers yesterday, for absolutely no reason.
--
Michael McIntyre ---- Silvan <[email protected]>
Linux fanatic, and certified Geek; registered Linux user #243621
Confirmed post number: 17649 Approximate word count: 529470
http://www.geocities.com/Paris/Rue/5407/
Ron Magen wrote:
> Mike,
> Don't you just love that, "Now what has he been up to ??" expression on
> her face ?
Yeah, it was sort of precious actually. I stuffed the flowers up the back
of my shirt. When I walked in, I asked her to give me a hug. She was
sitting on the couch with a bunch of stuff on her lap, and she was slightly
annoyed at having to get up, until she felt the telltale crinkle. Then her
face lit up. It was money well spent.
--
Michael McIntyre ---- Silvan <[email protected]>
Linux fanatic, and certified Geek; registered Linux user #243621
Confirmed post number: 17673 Approximate word count: 530190
http://www.geocities.com/Paris/Rue/5407/