Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Celebrate life

This past weekend, we spent in Las Vegas.  My cousin got married, and I was honored to be a bridesmaid.  It was a fun weekend with family, many I have not seen in a while.  It's always so nice to reconnect, hug, and have an understanding that we are all so close, regardless of the distance between us.

I had a realization, as I was standing shoulder to shoulder with the other bridesmaids, waiting for the beautiful bride to walk down the aisle.  I looked into the crowd, and saw my aunt, who lost her husband (my uncle), and my grandma #2 (my grandpa's wife) who lost my grandpa, both within one month of each other. It hit me, as we sit here as a family, celebrating life, and love - there is an emptiness that will always invade our hearts, regardless of the occasion.

It was truly bittersweet. 

I have mentioned before that the past two years, have been a turning point for me, in the way I perceive life.  Gavin has played a role in that, and the grief in my heart for those I love and miss, play a role in that.

Thanks to some things that have happened, I have so much peace now!  It's taking me some time to get to this place.  I thought I knew the "big picture", but now I feel I understand it.  People utilize so much of our precious time that we are given to live our life as a human being, on such irrational, and insignificant things.  I know we all have our own path, but things are so much clearer to me.

To call life a series of processes, is an understatement.

My life is at peace, even though I have sadness in my heart.  I am learning to be able to compartmentalize those feelings, and that is thanks to so many things.  My relationship with family members have become stronger, and some relationships, I choose not to be as close to anymore.  Albeit, family, friends, acquaintances.  I put energy into positive people and those who I have learned to trust with all my heart.  I often wonder how people can carry on their life with judgement, and criticism, and I wonder how happy they really are?  Thatsanotherstory.

Those moments, like the sadness I had for my aunt, and my grandma #2, is a moment that is life.  It is what we are now.  I have learned to appreciate it, as it is a recognition of those who are no longer with us.  I have learned to appreciate those who are living, just as much, as well.  Working on myself, so that I am a better person to those who I love and cherish with my whole heart, is a life long process, that I am so thankful to do, because I am here.

Fighting the tears as my heart broke for my uncle and my grandpa who were not there to watch my cousin walk down the aisle, was difficult.  Realizing they will always be here with us, and they are a piece of us, carrying on their legacy; was easy.


When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, "I used everything you gave me." ~Erma Bombeck




 

2 comments:

  1. Great post! I have had to cut out the "toxic cancer" in my life who
    were the negative, pessimists! Not sure what is gained through judgement, personally think many choose to just be critical. Sad!

    I'm glad you had a great weekend with many happy memories.
    Hugs,
    Meghan!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love the quote you ended with. I have it on a plaque in my living room!

    ReplyDelete

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