Just around the corner

Life has been pretty full these last few weeks.
Not busy - full.

Work has had extra challenges and rewards, friends have had gatherings and celebrations, some have had babies, lots of people to visit and lots of appointments to keep. Does that sound like your life too?

I received a text this morning that my grandmother is in hospital. Now granted she is 92 and has more energy and enthusiasm for life than alot of people half her age, but still, my thoughts have been circulating throughout the day as I wait for more information. My memories return to Christmas visits and birthday gifts as a child, funny stories she told and that wicked laugh that I seem to have inherited from her.
I remember when she lost her husband almost thirty years ago. I realise how much I admire her independence while being on her own and continuing to live a full life.
Even into her nineties she visits other people in the hospital. I write to her regularly even though she cannot write back to me anymore but I know it blesses her so much to know what I'm up to or see photos of my kids as they grow up. She blessed me as a child as a grandparent does. I love the quote be the change you want to see in the world. In other words treat others how you would like to be treated. I hope someday when I'm older and perhaps on my own that someone would be interested in what I'm doing and stay connected with me.

It's interesting how we talk about being so busy, like we have no control over our lives and it's all we can do to keep up with our own schedule.
True, we don't know how some events will unfold and life certainly does throw some doozies at us. But our general lifestyle, the social events we agree to, the sports or activities we commit to, what we do in our spare time and how we interact with the people who are closest to us we have a lot to do with.

We can create opportunities; social events when we feel isolated, date nights with a spouse, family holidays, and even scheduled down time when we feel burned out. I am passionate about making the most of every day I am given. I don't know what is just around the corner. I think it is important to make the best of the relationships in our lives because we really don't know how long they are going to be there for.

As you know I made a list this year of thirty things to do and I have 13 left. I may have to make a list for 2011 because I keep thinking of fun things to do!
Whether I make it to 92 or not I would like to be remembered as someone who lived life to its fullest, embraced the challenges that came my way the best I could and made the most of every opportunity.
You never know what is just around the corner.

Seasons

Today I had 3 people ask me how my list was going.
My answer? 9 down and 21 to go. Progressing nicely I would say.

I have lots of different comments when people ask about my "list". Most say it sounds like a fun idea and are inspired to write down thoughts of their own. Afterall, we all have thoughts and dreams about what we could do, might do someday or even musings about what other people are doing. I also have a few friends say something like "I don't know where you find the time" or "I wish I had money to do that", which has me thinking on the topic for this blog.

Seasons

I remember the season when I was single, living alone with my own business (dance studio).
I remember the season when I first got married, two incomes and settling into married life, playing "grown up".
A season of one income and a baby in the house came next, "playing mummies and daddies".
Then came two children and hope for a part time job on the side to earn some extra pocket money.
And now I find myself still happily married, two incomes, a mortgage with two teenagers, (one with their own income now)and the time and income to do a few weekend trips away with the girls or a romantic getaway here and there.

When I look back on each season that I have experienced so far (yes - there are more seasons to come) I thoroughly enjoyed each one. I LOVED my babies and each new milestone; first tooth, first laugh, crawling, walking, each new outfit and of course every photo that went with it. I was glad when the toilet training stage was over but it was great celebrating the achievement with each son. Actually, I look at each milestone as an achievement worth celebrating. Riding the first bike, the first school uniform (and the photo), learning to swim and that first soccer game.

I wouldn't want to go back to that stage of life now however but I thoroughly enjoyed it when I was there.

Currently, I am in the mum-taxi stage where my children have their own social life they need to keep up with. Part time jobs and girlfriends are now topics of conversation and the driving lessons monster is taunting me in preparation for next year. We are discussing cars and career possibilities. I love that I can get up and get ready for work in the morning knowing that everyone else in the house is organising themselves at the same time without my supervision or instruction.

My hubby and I are also discussing that romantic European holiday when the boys are all grown up and left the nest. Yes I will miss them terribly but I'm kind of looking forward to that season where I don't have to cook dinners for everyone whether I am hungry or not. Dinners out for two sounds nice.

Grandchildren I see are a great thing and I look forward to spoiling them and getting to know the two daughters I never had.

So where am I going with all this?
I love change. Change is good. Without change we wouldn't experience anything.
I wouldn't have gotten married without change. I wouldn't have had kids. I wouldn't have made half the wonderful friends that I now love and couldn't do without.
Change can be a little scary for some but imagine what you would have missed out on if something hadn't changed first.

Whatever season you are in, enjoy it. It won't last forever and you just might miss it when it's gone. Some seasons don't come around a second time so it's now or never.
Enjoy each moment you have with each person you can. Enjoy life!