Monday, March 16, 2015

Perspective...

I'm not going to lie, I was feeling a little sorry for myself earlier. Over something petty and ridiculous! See below:


I know, you're thinking what's the big deal?! It's just dirty dog paw prints! 

When we went on our trip, I knew I'd miss the pups but I knew I wouldn't miss this. Neither would my family! They hear me fuss and gripe about this multiple times a day!

In fact, I text that pic to Tim and said "back to reality". Back to reality in more ways than one.

I was frustrated earlier bc I feel overwhelmed with ALL the things I need to get done.

Now these are things that are on my list! Not a normal person's list! Just things around the house, and what it takes to get us through a week around here.

I sometimes let that stress me out too much. I wish I wasn't such a Type A spaz!

I need a nice dose of perspective every now and then. I think we all do. It's funny how you can gain a little perspective.

Driving down a road that I frequent often, that in fact most people in my inner/outer circles travel often multiple times a day...I saw them....

Flowers.

Fresh flowers on the side of the road, where a horrible accident took the lives of 2 wonderful people the week before last.  I didn't know them personally, but from what I've heard, I'm in awe of who they were.

One was an exchange student at a local private school, who had his whole life ahead of him. If I read correctly, he had a college scholarship waiting for him. His poor parents had to travel from the Ukraine to bury their baby boy.

And yes, he was a tall 18 yr old young man, but he was still someone's baby. At some point, earlier in his life, his mom rocked him and stared at him and probably counted his freckles and marveled at the length of his lashes, bc we know that boys always get the long ones. And as his mom, she was in awe of his beauty. I cannot even begin to imagine her pain right now...

It's heartbreaking. He was a Christian and I'm sure he's now in awe of being in the arms of our Saviour. I hope that fact makes this tragedy easier to comprehend.

The other victim in this tragedy, hits a little closer to home for me.

She was a mom...
Of 3 kids...
2 girls and a boy...
A loving Christian mom that did anything and everything for her kids.

Her kids were her life. She was their biggest fan. I've loved reading all of the beautiful things people have written about her. We have several mutual friends, so I've seen many stories and memories shared on social media.

It hits so close to home for many moms I've talked to because we all travel that road in our SUV's loaded with kids. This mom had her 3 kids with her, and 2 of their friends.  Her kids and one friend survived by the Grace of God. 

Sometimes I have friend's kids with me. I always take it seriously...the responsibility of someone else's child, but now the feeling is overwhelming.

It could've been any one of us. Someone that I knew, or myself. Scary isn't it? How quickly life can be taken from us? 

Do you ever stop and think about the enormity of a situation like this? I cannot fathom not being around for my kids. I just can't...and I'm sure that was the furthest from this mother's mind that rainy evening.

To be honest, I haven't gone down this road as much since this accident. It makes me sick to my stomach. It was such a senseless tragedy. Because of someone's selfish actions, 3 kids lost their mom and parents had to bury their son.

Being out of town the past 5 days I'd forgotten for a brief second. And that's when I saw the 2 sets of flowers on the side of the road.

It immediately brought me back. And I felt ashamed of my whining and negative thoughts. My eyes immediately went to my rear view mirror where I saw my crazy lil toddler, who has been challenging to say the least today, and I saw her clapping and chanting to Little Einsteins on her DVD player. She was so incredibly gleeful in that moment. Sweet baby.

So I challenge you to find your perspective. Maybe you struggle with the simple, mundane everyday tasks or maybe it's something that is very serious.

I challenge you to turn your negativity around and focus on something good in your life. Everyone has something good in their life.

My perspective today quickly changed.  I know that muddy paw prints and 4 loads of laundry ain't that big a deal in the grand scheme of things!


Beginning this month, I'm participating in a blog circle with some amazing and beautiful women.  Click and see what Tiffany has to say this month. 



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