Life has a funny way of reminding us what’s important when we’re least expecting it. The past week has been full of close calls for people I love dearly. This weekend I’m full of a sense of immense gratitude!
A couple of weeks ago I got a phone call saying that my aunt was diagnosed with breast cancer. I sat completely stunned for an undetermined amount of time, then got up and went about my day. I couldn’t even process the information. One minute I’m folding the laundry, the next minute someone I love has cancer. I desperately wanted to return to mundane tasks. My aunt had surgery yesterday and is resting at the hospital. It will be a long road, but her prognosis is good.
Thursday one of our Chaney Group family members was driving in the mountains. She took her eyes of the road momentarily while going around a curve and went straight off of the road and into a creek. Luckily, a stump kept the car from going down a 15-20 foot embankment. She was able to walk away with some sore muscles and banged up knees. As you can see, the car wasn’t so lucky. Check out the pictures!
Finally, yesterday my grandmother fell and broke her hip. It happens and I know it’s always serious. What makes this fall extra interesting is the location. My grandparents (ages 78 and 90) spend summer in a pretty remote area of Canada. Their house is on an island at the back of a lake. The only way to access the house is by boat or float plane. Thankfully, a family member arrived the day before and was able to help my grandpa get her to on the boat, down the lake, and loaded in the car. They visited a hospital in the area and made the decision to drive seven hours to the Cleveland Clinic. She’s in surgery as we speak, but they believe it will be routine and she’ll be ok.
So, I’m reminded that there’s value in the uneventful days. One of my favorites metaphors is from Rumi. He says that simplicity is gold hidden in dust. I’ll do my best not to take those days for granted and I’m going to avoid worrying about things that don’t matter. More than anything I’m grateful that I’ll have more time to tell these three women how much they mean to me.
