Nov 2022
I worked for a major international pharmaceutical company in the early 2000’s. I developed a friendship with one of the Territory Managers, who resided in British Columbia. My contract was terminated in Oct 2008 and I was let go. She and I maintained contact over the years and finally in Oct 2018 ( 10 years to the day since we last saw each other), I flew to Vancouver to visit her for the weekend.
Fast forward to Sept 2021 and her work would bring her to Ontario for a weekend. She of course, stayed at my place and we had one day to go for walks, eat, chit chat and catch up. At that time, she was dealing with a serious health issue and feeling quite despondent over her future. She was also alone, albeit a mom and grandma, but still alone. She had traveled to many places around the world and kept active, with her kids, her grand babies, her hiking excursions and exploring her beautiful province.
I was dismayed to hear her admit, that she felt like she had nothing to get up for in the morning and nothing to be excited about….This upset me very much. I could not handle knowing she had this “pain”.
This got me thinking – I feel blessed every day and I wondered where these feelings for me come from……
I pray every day and give thanks for all of the blessings in my life – my parents, my children, my siblings, my cats, my warm bed, my roof over my head, my good health, my pool swims, my job, my car, food and water, clothes and shoes, money in the bank, money to pay my bills, Canada, beaches, lakes, oceans, trains, waterfalls, forests, birds, animals, open green spaces, cake, freedom, democracy, diversity, inclusion, religion, govt, police/nurses/fireman/doctors, etc.
When my mother passed away quite unexpectedly in Dec. 2017, I could either wallow in sadness or I could be happy. Of course, not that I was happy that my mother passed away, but I did not want to be that person who carried the weight of losing their mom suddenly. So I chose to be “Excellent” and in those early days of 2018, I would explain why I was “Excellent”. How you feel and how you view your world should not be based on any current circumstance, ie, my mother died from stage 4 colon cancer within 3 weeks of her initial diagnosis… but instead on how grateful and blessed you feel overall.
A life philosophy…..
Would you much rather hang around someone who is always mad, sad, maudlin, irritated, pessimistic or someone that exudes joy, happiness, contentment, peace, excitement, love, compassion. I chose to be the happy one – the one to share a moment of joy with every one, every day.
For me, this makes my world more joyful and more positive.
I wake up and look forward to a good cup of coffee, a glass of wine in the evenings, how my body feels after an invigorating swim, a walk in the park, spending time with my kids, spending time with my bff’s, seeing squirrels, birds, rabbits, dogs, beautiful flowers, a blue sky, watching and listening to the rain fall from underneath my backyard gazebo, visiting with family, starting a novel and finishing that novel, doing a craft and sharing it with others, planning my next vacation, free groceries, etc. I’m sure you get the point.
My vacation plans for 2023 include a trip to BC – and I hope to spend a few days again with this beautiful soul.
Acknowledgement – my dear dear friend and fellow June birthday girl – you know who you are and I thank you for your friendship and for being in my life…. this post is dedicated to you……Be well and be loved.
Thank you for reading and for letting me share.
Joye
Single Older Woman - Living Life Passionately 