This last week has been a roller coaster. It’s funny how when tragedy strikes, you really reassess what is important in life. You realise your job isn’t really that important. Money isn’t really that important. Social engagements aren’t really that important. All that really matters is the health and safety of the ones you love. It also reminds you how wonderful family and friends are. We were once again reminded of all the incredible people we have in our life.
Our family, on both sides, being willing to stop anything to help us out. Our friends, who checked in on us daily and offered us a place to stay and a warm meal. Everything else just feels like white noise. It’s so un-important, but it can be all consuming. And it’s sad that it takes something big to make you realise what you value most.
Shane got burnt pretty badly in a fire gone wrong. There was so much on top of it once he got to hospital that just added to the stress and severity of it. After a week in hospital, I have him home and in the end that is all that really matters. And even though he still has a long way to go in his recovery, we are both just so thankful that it wasn’t worse.
Life is short, it’s never guaranteed and it’s so fragile. It can be ended at any moment, for any reason and yet we all try to ignore that. It’s scary to think about, and I pray that I have many days ahead of me but I’m going to try and live more fully. I don’t want to take for granted everything that I have, even when I feel like it’s not much. I want to start loving more, fighting less with my husband, letting the little things go quicker. It’s much easier said than done, but being reminded of it helps.
So, on that note - go and hug your loved ones a little tighter, slow down and just be. Everything else can wait.