Friday, September 30, 2011

Sweet Friday


Thank God for Fridays, it's been an intense week at work.  The kind of days that make
you come home and hold your babies tight, thank your husband for being all that he
is, whisper prayers of praise for all that you have.
I've been reflecting lately on how easy it can be to fall into a state of "poor me", to
take inventory of your life and still want more, to look over the small and simple
blessings that grace us each and every day.  I took care of a lady this week whose floor
has literally caved in due to flood damage after last year's hurricane.  She can no longer
use her kitchen or living room because there is NO FLOOR, only rotted wood and the
cold, hard ground peeking through.  There was a man whose blood sugar was
dangerously high and admitted to me that he has not been taking his insulin because he
can't afford to buy it.  His social security check won't be in the mail until early next week
and he's just praying that his blood sugar can hold out until then.  Another woman
hadn't eaten in 2 days and, when I questioned her as to why, she admitted to me that
her drug addict son and his girlfriend had cleaned out her house and left her alone,
with nothing.
Each and every one of these people touched me in some way this week.  Each one of
these precious souls brought a new blessing into my life, just by letting me into their
home and sharing their story with me.  We do what we can to help patients in need
but sometimes their life circumstances are beyond our control.  I can share my
turkey sandwich I packed for lunch, try to convince the doctor to give me samples
of medications that patients need, but sometimes it's just not enough.  Some people are
really, truly struggling in this world.  And you have to sit back and think: what problems
do I REALLY have?  What is that I am worried about: having too much to do, not
knowing how to manage it all?  Are these really problems?  My life is so blessed that I
have TOO MUCH going on.  It is so full of love and light and amazing people that I
sometimes fret over how to handle it all.
And that is, in itself, the blessing.  I take care of a little old lady who, every time I walk 
into her home and ask her how she's feeling, answers, "I'm good, darlin'!  Too blessed to 
be stressed!".  Now THAT is a mantra: Too blessed to be stressed!  I've been singing
those words to myself all week, imagining all the things this woman has seen in her 
lifetime, all the experiences she has encountered, the hurt and suffering and hardships.  
Yet she wears her smile so big and proud, too blessed to be stressed.  
May we all have the courage to live life in such a positive way.
{One of my favorite photos, Shawn in his mother's backyard, in awe of the
most amazing Arizona sunset.}

17 comments:

Lauren said...

This was such a beautiful post and a wonderful reminder to be grateful for all that we have. It is so heartbreaking to think of the people struggling all across the states, no one should be left to suffer because they can't afford meds or food. It takes a very special person to do your job and you must have a lot of strength, emotionally and otherwise. Thank goodness for people like you!

Gillian said...

Thank you for this post, it is a wonderful reminder that our troubles are small and our blessings are big.

Blogs said...

this has to be my favorite post of yours! i too am so busy with life, work and family---and far too blessed to be stressed! thanks love! enjoy the weekend

Anonymous said...

I will keep these words in mind every time I feel like complaining. How hard some people's lives are and the most amazing is that some continue the road with a big smile and a fantastic dose of faith - these are examples for us to follow.
Thanks for sharing Olivia - This is Gold.
Have a beautiful day.

Jess said...

I needed to read this today. Thank you, Liv.

Sara said...

"Too blessed to be stressed." I'll remember that one.

-Sara-

Little Gray Pixel said...

I seriously needed this right now because I was feeling wayyyy stressed. My floors may need mopping, but at least I can walk on them.

Anonymous said...

Such a beautiful post and so truthful! It is so easy to slide into that mindframe and i have that happen every once in a while :( But i am working hard on positive thinking and just think about the good things in life.

Totally agree.. Too blessed to be stressed! :)

Anonymous said...

Love this post! Everything you said is so true. You should totally market that phrase!

Sonya Marie said...

you rocked this post. I'm new and you totally have me drawn in. Thanks so much for your honesty and depth - it's refreshing

Lucy The Valiant said...

Oh, this was exactly what I needed to read just now. Love it!

Caitlin said...

What an amazing mantra :)

I hate to bring politics into this (once again) but it is unconscionable that such a percentage of our elderly population lives this way. In Maine sometimes old people seal themselves into one room of their house because they can't afford to heat their whole house. Even in the tiny room, they have the heat set at around 50. We have to have "warming centers" at local churches.

Again, not to get too crazy political, but I wish the people that are telling us that it's the poor who are abusing our country and causing us to have debt problems would go live for a day with some of the people you work with.

Makes me so angry! I'm so glad there are people like you who are looking out for these people. <3

d'Artagnan said...

I am so blessed that sometimes it is overwhelming. To blessed to be stressed is right!! Thanks for your ever present kindness and soulful words.

--d'Arty

Lori said...

oh dear, i absolutely loved this post. seriously. too blessed to be stressed. thank you, thank you for sharing.

http://www.penelopeblue.blogspot.com/

Randalin @ Harvesting Kale said...

She is getting more and more beautiful every single day! This is such a fun age, isn't it? But tough. I totally remember Kale going through a stage of separation anxiety at this age and pretty much sleeping on top of me. I would do my best to be there for him as much as possible, but it can be TRYING. Don't forget to take some time for yourself!

Unknown said...

These words are so true. I try to remember how fortunate I am to live the life I am living, and how blessed I am to be surrounded by so many amazing people every day, but it can slip our minds too easily sometimes. It is a rare and beautiful thing about nursing, to be able to be reminded of this through our patients. I am going to adopt the mantra too blessed to be stressed now. How great is that! Amazing sunset photo too!

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