Those We Briefly Meet Along The Path (non-crafty)

I rarely post the same thing to my Rambings and Crafty blogs but I am going to cross post this because it's something I really need to say.

There are people we briefly meet along the path of our lives who touch us in some way that is so much more lasting than just that brief meeting. People who inspire us or teach us something, even if it's just a bit of courage. These are people that twenty years later still live in our hearts and memories and thoughts. A couple of minutes here or a chance encounter in the parking lot or friends of friends. I'd like to talk about one of those people.

Her name is Yvonne. She lives in San Jose. She has a wonderful husband named Jerry and four great children - three lovely daughters and a son who shines. While I may not know a lot about her, I have shared a couple of Thanksgiving dinners with her and a walk through a craft fair in Gridley once. She is a beautiful, smart, sensitive, creative woman who is an exceptional mother and wife. Even if I didn't know these things about her, I would know she is wonderful because she is dearly loved by my adopted sister Susan. If I knew nothing else about her, to know Susan loves her would be enough. That speaks highly of Yvonne.

Yvonne is one of the bravest women I have ever known. She beat cancer once. And after quite some time of being cancer free, it came back with a vengence. Right now she is lying in a hospital bed suffering and that is something that makes me cry. She does not deserve to suffer. Not this brave woman.

While we may not have had much more than a couple of meals together and a few conversations, her dedication as a wife, mother and brave cancer fighter has shown me that there are so many things to be grateful for in this life. Every morning we wake up, alive, is a miracle. Enjoy our children. Enjoy each breath. Why worry about the dust? What difference does it make if we're living in an apartment or a million dollar mansion? We're alive, aren't we? That in itself should be enough. And, for me, now, it is. I wake up each morning and am thankful to still be here. I enjoy everything I can no matter how small. I am an overly sensitve person. I cry over things that touch me that probably wouldn't touch others and things others think I should cry over, I don't.

I don't worry about the future any more. Things will work out however they should. I will enjoy being with those I love. I am really, really lucky to have a lot of those people. And while my health may not be the greatest, I am grateful for the good health I do have. And I am extremely grateful for those I have already met and those I hopefully will meet briefly along the path who have taught me that life is worth living and enjoying and cherishing each and every day. I look forward to learning more. I am grateful for having had the opportunity to meet these people.

I am grateful to have met Yvonne.

Stop. Breathe. Enjoy life. Love those around you. Be grateful. We get one chance. Make it count. I plan to.