Lets talk about Jane. She passed away on Christmas day suddenly but not shocking. She had been battling breast cancer for over a year. She was diagnosed shortly after the birth of her second child. At first they thought it was mastitis. Misdiagnosing breast cancer in breast feeding women with mastitis can happen. Although this starts off quite sad my point is to acknowledge the gratitude and joy of the last year of Jane’s life as acknowledged by the people that knew her well. Except when doing chemo therapy she had her kids with her all the time. She wanted it this way. She wanted to spend every second she could with them. She still worked out and took care of herself. She had a great circle of friends that she kept close to enjoy life with. For Christmas her family and her went to a warm place to spend time together. Christmas eve brought an unexpected set back. She could not get out of bed , had a headache was rushed to the local hospital then to Florida by air ambulance. She died the next day from inoperable tumors on her brain. Her husband returned home with their 14 month old and 4 year old children by himself. Jane or anyone else must not die in vain. We have a responsibility to the loss of every human being to celebrate the life we have today.We should try and enjoy everything especially things that are often clouded with a negative attitude. Nothing should make us miss the point of being alive. No matter what your health problems, money problems or relationship problems you are here today and only you can decide what that experience will be. Will you Honor your mind,body and spirit even in the face of adversity so that each valuable second will be honored as well? Being grateful for life takes practice. Here is one of the things that I do ( and should do even more ) to keep my intentions and purpose clear.
Make a gratitude list ( here is mine that I shared on my most recent newsletter from newmom101 and FITMOM . My top 5:
- I’m grateful for three healthy boys. They’re loud and crazy but that is a good problem to have.
- I’m grateful that my mother came back into my life after 20 years and this well be our first holiday together. Although there is a ton of baggage and trials to overcome, another chance is a gift.
- I’m looking outside at this horrid weather and really remembering that 95% of the world doesn’t have what I have.
- I’m warm and fed and so are my boys. How can I forget this?
- I am not alone. I have many people who love me and my children. Without this I cannot be sure how I would cope. The gratitude on this one makes me explode with joy. In order for that to happen though I have to keep it top of mind. Gratitude is a practice.
- I’m grateful for the strength to be vulnerable. It is good for all of us to share ourselves, not always perfectly polished.
I cannot imagine leaving my babies! How tragic. It definitely is a reminder to all of us to be grateful and to take care of ourselves.
Great post! It’s such a sad tale but definitely a reminder for us to not take our blessings for granted.
I give thanks all the time that both my children are healthy and were born healthy. I have a happy marriage and am healthy. Really that’s what counts.
Being tight financially — well that’s just something to deal with 😛 but I’m forever thankful for the things that really matter! 🙂
Thanks for this great post, Andrea. I am composing my gratitude list right now. My thoughts go out to Jane’s family.
Great post, Andrea and a wonderful reminder of how lucky we are. Happy New Year.