Life happens
So… You know how you start a diet and you do really well and then something derails you and you stop dieting? Life happens.
I think that is me during the winter—with anything, including this blog. I go into winter thinking I’m going to embrace it. I’m going to get hygge, wear sweaters, drink cocoa, spend quiet time reflecting and being all creatively, geniously zen. I made it 5 weeks into 2018 before I fell into my usual winter doldrums. I have to say, I had a little nudge this year.
Our sweet pup, Zoe, had been diagnosed with cancer back in the fall. She was 12 . It wasn’t enough time. I won’t go into the ugly details but I’ll say that in February, most of my days were spent with her until it was time to say goodbye. Saying goodbye to this sweet face was so hard. I know you pet lovers get it. You know it’s coming but there is no way to prepare yourself. I just don’t think you ever prepare yourself to say goodbye. I definitely wasn’t prepared for my kids’ reactions.
One was heartbroken, one stiff upper lipped it through tears and the third avoided and accepted. Three kids. Three very different personalities. Three different ways of coping with grief. I’ve always known my kids are sensitive, empathetic and have tender hearts. Going through this as a family reminded me of the sweetest parts of my kids, those parts outside of squabbling over who took the last bite of cereal… I saw how much they love, how much they care and I saw maturity… I saw empathy.
Feelings and stuff
Empathy is defined as the ability to understand and share the feelings of another. In this crazy world, we could all use a little more empathy, a little care and kindness for those around us. We could all use a little respite from the ugliness that media (social and otherwise) has become. Spending more time at dinner tables with friends and family, sharing food, beverages, stories, laughs and tears should be on all our to do lists. We need to spend time connecting to one another, forming bonds, finding the ties that bind us all, finding the things that bring us all closer together. At the same time, I’m so grateful to be able to connect here. It’s a virtual world but it’s an honest extension of my own real world and I appreciate the kindness and the support shown here—more than you know.
When life happens, I’m here for you.
xoxo
Donna
I love having you on the road with me!
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