I started rattling off things I'd been thinking about (I evidently needed to get it off my chest!):
Wanting so badly to sell our house but not being able to
Wondering if we were going to need to move all the kids up the the property into a commune because of the horrible economy.
Not being able to come up with a good plan for a much-needed family get-together.
Not having Jake home.
blah, blah, blah
Then she reminded me of what I always say. "Life is good."
It was a gentle butt-kicking I needed. Life really is good you know, and here's what I have to be so grateful for and will now focus on:
A husband who loves me - even though we're much like Al and Peg Bundy!
A family I can always trust and talk to.
3 wonderful kids who have turned out to be more than I could ever have hoped for - despite some of the things I've done.
A daughter-in-law and son-in-law that I love and feel so lucky to have. You're extremely fortunate if your children marry someone who loves them (almost) as much as you do. Thank you Heather and Tim for loving my kids.
Jake will be home - where he belongs - soon.
A mother who is so special to me (and everyone in our family) that I can't imagine not having her as my best buddy.
A beautiful home.
A beautiful piece of property that we'll someday live on.
A few friends that I think the world of and would do anything for and I know would do anything for me. (I'm basically quite anti-social - not that I choose that, but because I'm just not the life of the party like my sisters are so people have a hard time getting close to me). Jaci, Denise, Casey - I love you!
5 WONDERFUL grandkids that I think love me almost as much as I love them - and it's the best feeling in the world.
So, thanks Jacki, for giving me the lift I needed and the gentle butt-kicking to remind myself of how wonderful my life really is. You are my sunshine...
And notice most of those things on your worry list, you really have no control over???
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you've got some ammo behind your 'life is good' quote again!
LOVE YOU!!!!!!
I love you too and I'm grateful every day to have you in my life.
ReplyDeleteYay, Jacki!! I've noticed a change too, I keep asking mom if you're ok.
ReplyDeleteLike Jacki said, most of the things you are worrying about, you have NO control over. All you can control is how you handle it/react to it. Either the house will sell or it won't; making yourself sick with worry will not change a thing.
Here's some thing my friend Sarah had me do recently when I was MAJORLY freaking out about something stupid:
Name your WORST fear related to each of those things. What if you can't sell your house? (Well, you do have a beautiful, safe, warm, dry house to live in. Have you seen recent pictures of, say, Haiti?) What if all the kids had to move in with you? (That would make one hell of a reality show; TLC would pay you millions of dollars and then you'd all be fine. Just fine!) We can't come up with a plan for a family get-together. (Well, all we can do is try, and if not everyone can make, oh well.) Jake is coming home soon, so scratch that one off the list.
Also, the economy is not that bad. DO NOT watch the news or read the paper. It's all hype.
Again, you can not control what happens to you; the only thing you have control over is how you handle it.
LOOOVE you sister.
PS. You may not be the ham that Linda and I are, but you are definitely the funniest person in our family. So anyone who takes the time to get to know you is richly rewarded by your twisted sense of humor. ;)
ReplyDeleteKate, you're so right. I'm so much more fortunate than so many and I've always tried to remind myself of that. For some reason, the last few months it seems like it's been harder to stay focused on the good. But, I'm on my way back.
ReplyDeleteAnd no, YOU are by far the most hilarious person in the family - wish you were here!
I needed that kick in the butt, too.
ReplyDeleteLove you, too, Jodi and can't imagine what life would be life if you hadn't found me again!
And I find you quite personable. But I am married to a hermit so my standards aren't real high...
Life sucks sometimes no matter how much worse someone (or everyone) has it. And I'm sorry you've had a cloud following you around lately.
ReplyDeleteWhat's really special is that you have so many people who are close enough and care enough about you to notice when things aren't right. Not feeling alone in this world - despite all its shit - is what life is all about. Being accepted complaints and all ironically makes us feel like we have less to complain about. And talking about what's going on makes coping with what's going on so much easier. Glad you're feeling better!
Lots of love,
Heather
Jodi, So glad you found your sunshine again. I so agree with Heather.....there are many people in a funk with no one to even notice! You,my friend, are a lucky woman!
ReplyDeleteIt seems we need to live in the---Right Now. Right now,---we all have nice homes, good food, enough money to support us ( right now) the sun is shining ( right now), and best of all family and friends who love us. Today, life is good, and we are all doing well.
ReplyDeleteIF, and I mean IF things get worse, we will handle it the best we can. It truly doesn't help to worry about the "what ifs". Sure, we have to plan ahead, but that's planning, not worrying. Now , I'm going to go sit in a corner and take my own advice !!!!!
See all the support and love you have gotten from family and friends? They are there for you, and each other. Thanks guys !
Sheri, Jaci, Heather and mom - thanks for your words. We all need to remind ourselves sometimes that things really are ok.
ReplyDeleteLove to you all!
Thank you Jodi, for your sweet , kind words. love you !
ReplyDeleteAww, thanks! I love you too, Jodi! You are the bomb-diggity.
ReplyDelete