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Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Count Your Blessings.

I drove home yesterday after a crazy, busy morning of playing with friends. A chaotic lunch and a last minute trip to the doctor and pharmacy for E. Her ears. Again.

I was driving home thinking of texting a witty Twitter update/complaint. About being tired or E's ears and the constant copays/prescriptions it seems we spend money on or maybe even the weather and the blowing snow and cold air that is growing old quickly.

The roads were terrible so I posted nothing.

I arrived home and read news of a neighbor's passing who's been heavy on my heart and mind for sometime.

He leaves behind a beautiful wife and four beautiful young children. All younger than M.

I felt so selfish and silly and stupid.

Because most of my complaints are selfish and silly and stupid.

I mean, really, a crazy, busy morning playing with friends? Is that something to complain about? Having money to be able to take my kids to the doctor and get them meds when they need them? Is that something to complain about?

Will I ever learn and realize just how fortunate we are?

I am alive. I am healthy. I am happy. And every night my husband walks through that door. I still have my husband. And my kids, they might give me moments, hard moments, but they are here and they are happy and they are healthy and they still have a daddy.

Selfish, silly and stupid, have I been in my petty complaints. Haven't we all been?

So, today, as you go about your day and you want to complain of the cold or the lack of coffee or the kids driving you up a wall, instead of all that, can you please remember to count your blessings?

Because I tend to believe most of us are blessed beyond belief and sometimes just need a good wake up call of what we're really complaining about.


Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your many blessings, see what God hath done.

-Johnson Oatman, Jr.



The CaringBridge site for Mike Talley can be found here and the post I wrote previously about this family is found here. Please keep Nicole and their children in your prayers, not just now when everything is fresh and new but continuously.

posted by simplicity at 9:36 AM

13 Comments:

Blogger Becky said...

I needed this. Thank you! YOU are a blessing. XOXO

January 26, 2010 at 9:58 AM  
Blogger GMS said...

This is a heartbreaking situation. You are so right about counting our blessings. Everyday is a gift and all the things that loom so large like finances and demanding and/or annoying daily grind stuff are really the just small stuff. They are the things that need to be put into perspective.

January 26, 2010 at 10:18 AM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Oh. I needed this too. I need it most every single day. I was thinking about the same thing when thinking about the earthquake in Haiti. How people are struggling to survive and I get bummed about my kids tugging at my pant leg all day long.

I look at your friend's site and just wow. That family is just gorgeous. And my heart breaks for his wife and children.

Thank you for this Samara and really, I was just kidding on Twitter. I feel so lame that I made you feel bad. :-(

January 26, 2010 at 10:22 AM  
Blogger Robin said...

Samara, you've put down in words what I've been feeling this month. On Thursday, I'm attending a funeral for an infant -- the second one for me this month -- and am strugging with reconciling the grief of both sets of parents with the inevitable day-to-day frustrating moments of parenting, where the kids won't cooperate, colds and minor illness abound, etc. Thank you for the reminder to stop and count my blessings. As for feeling selfish, silly and stupid -- don't. Know that you've paid it forward by sharing your thoughts with us. I agree with Becky - you are a blessing!

January 26, 2010 at 11:56 AM  
Blogger amanda said...

so i wrote this post last night. like literally and then i deleted it and posted the 3-d glasses pics instead.

there seems to be sooo much sadness right now. in the real world. in the bloggy world. and i just feel overwhelmed by all of it.

and to make matters worse i think i have it rough. i whine. i complain. and i have nothing. nothing wrong everything right.

but i still wait for the floor to fall out from underneath me. how i have been so lucky i don't know.

so yup, i get it.

January 26, 2010 at 1:02 PM  
Blogger Heather said...

I often think this, but somehow can't seem to type the right words. But you found all the right words. Thank you- I needed this, especially today.

January 26, 2010 at 1:13 PM  
Blogger Anna Daniels said...

Beautifully, said and a great reminder. Since being home, I've been learning just HOW good I have it.
They will certainly be in my prayers.

January 26, 2010 at 3:40 PM  
Blogger Jon, Sara, Tyler, and Sophie said...

So sorry to hear about your neighbor, but thank you for the reminder about all of our blessings!

January 26, 2010 at 8:43 PM  
Blogger LutherLiz said...

thanks I needed this!

January 26, 2010 at 10:39 PM  
Blogger Beth said...

Very insightful post, a good reminder about counting our blessings, I know I often take things for granted in my life so sometimes it's good to hear something like this!

January 27, 2010 at 8:22 AM  
Blogger Ann-Marie said...

I'm so sorry to hear about your neighbor. I remember you mentioning him a few months back. I'm sure you'll be a great help to his family during this time.

I've been working on this more lately, myself. Hence, my absence from my blog and Facebook. I'm slowly getting back into the groove, but I'm trying to be more intentional and thoughtful about what I post. Well, maybe not on Facebook so much ('cause where else can you "complain" that your sweet tooth is being bossy?), but in general, it's my goal. Thoughtfulness, peace, balance, remembering what's important.

January 27, 2010 at 4:23 PM  
Blogger Brianna said...

YES. YES. YES.

This is how I've been feeling as well. Watching Sy and how he NEVER complains.

Thanks for the reminder.

January 27, 2010 at 8:56 PM  
Anonymous Unplanned Cooking said...

I'm sorry about your neighbor. And you're right - thanks for keeping my life in perspective.

January 30, 2010 at 10:44 AM  

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