Life . . . and priorities
As you may know, I am not a deeply
religious person. I do, however, believe and I do pray. Last week, God
gave me a peck on the shoulder and reminded me of just what priorities
really are. There are so many things that we feel we "have" to do. I
"have" to go to work, even though I don't feel good. I "have" to have a
new vehicle. I "have" to have the right clothes. I "have" to do dishes
every night. I'm sure you can add your own list of have's that you can
add to mine.
To give you a little background, my daughter made 3 trips to the ER last week. Between the 2nd and 3rd trips, she was hospitalized and ended up having brain surgery to replace the catheter in her shunt. It was extremely scary. As I sat with her, holding her hand while she cried because she was in such pain, I was angry with myself. I was angry because of my first thought when she called and said she was hurting. I was at the office and my first thought was the stacks of work on my desk. I take that back, my very first thought was oh, I hope it's nothing serious. Then I looked at all the work to be done. As I sat holding my daughter's hand while they prepped the OR and the anesthesiology team worked to get her ready, I realized that nothing on my desk was a matter of life and death. My child needed me, and nothing in the world was more important than her.
So, what really has to be done? This is what I have learned in the past 10 days:
I have to take care of my daughter.
I have to spend time with my husband and daughter.
I have to put my family first.
I have to put health matters over money matters.
So, this is your job - take a look at your life. Look at what your priorities really are. Make a list of those things that you really have to do. Don't give me any crap about how important your job is, or how important you are. Give serious thought to what is REALLY important. Write and let me know what takes priority in your life.
Oh - and the kickoff for the Callaway County Writer's Group's Artist's Way Circle is the 29th at 10 a.m. at Westwood Coffee in Fulton. Hope to see you there, or here!
Now, go hug someone!
Elle
To give you a little background, my daughter made 3 trips to the ER last week. Between the 2nd and 3rd trips, she was hospitalized and ended up having brain surgery to replace the catheter in her shunt. It was extremely scary. As I sat with her, holding her hand while she cried because she was in such pain, I was angry with myself. I was angry because of my first thought when she called and said she was hurting. I was at the office and my first thought was the stacks of work on my desk. I take that back, my very first thought was oh, I hope it's nothing serious. Then I looked at all the work to be done. As I sat holding my daughter's hand while they prepped the OR and the anesthesiology team worked to get her ready, I realized that nothing on my desk was a matter of life and death. My child needed me, and nothing in the world was more important than her.
So, what really has to be done? This is what I have learned in the past 10 days:
I have to take care of my daughter.
I have to spend time with my husband and daughter.
I have to put my family first.
I have to put health matters over money matters.
So, this is your job - take a look at your life. Look at what your priorities really are. Make a list of those things that you really have to do. Don't give me any crap about how important your job is, or how important you are. Give serious thought to what is REALLY important. Write and let me know what takes priority in your life.
Oh - and the kickoff for the Callaway County Writer's Group's Artist's Way Circle is the 29th at 10 a.m. at Westwood Coffee in Fulton. Hope to see you there, or here!
Now, go hug someone!
Elle
Lori,
I am so proud of you. You handled this situation with K so VERY well. My hats off to you! You are a such an exemplary example of what a mother should be!
At the risk of offending you, however, I have to preface this with the statement that I love you like the sister I never had - and I think you know that. I worry about you, Lori. You do so much for so many. You give SO MUCH to your employer, whose demands are, at times, unreasonable. I understand - don't get me wrong. All of us, at least for now, have to work. We have to feed and clothe our families. That's a priority, no matter that it's farther down the list than our children. But I know that your Lupus is causing you pain and suffering NOW, as we speak. I also know that stress only makes that worse. You carry the weight of the world at times. You take your responsibility - to your job, your family - your friends - so seriously. I CHALLENGE you - yes, CHALLENGE - to take care of yourself. If only for a week. I want you, for once, to put yourself first. Without your own health and well-being, you can't be the best mother or wife or employee. I know there are things you need to do. In sisterly love, I ask you not to put them off.
My heart goes out to you - and JR and Katelyn - for all you've been through the past few weeks. And I commend your stamina and dedication, and know that I'd have done in the same in your shoes. But, NOW, I ask you to focus on YOU. Take care of yourself, and do the things you need to do, to be the best you can be - for everyone - including yourself.
I love ya, kid. And, at the risk of sounding EXTREMELY "corny," you're one of the biggest blessings in my life. I want to make sure that you're around - and healthy - for many years to come - if for no other than the selfish reason that I love our DD nights!
Forgive me if I've overstepped my boundaries, but I am concerned that you put yourself last. Maybe it's old age (certainly, it couldn't be 'widsom') that makes me prod you into action? Remember the Nike slogan? "Just Do It" ???
(Please...)
Luv ya,
Lynn
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