This blog has been quiet for a while, and here's the reason why...
Saturday 4th June was a very sad day for me and my family. In the words that I used to explain it to my little girl, "Great Nanna got on the train to heaven today, so we won't be able to see her for a while".
My Nan, a Mother of 4 (1 of which was her only son and sadly he lost his life to illness when he was just 2 weeks old), a Grandmother to 7 and a Great-Grandmother to 6. She has co-created many lives and through giving the gift of life, she has left her mark on this earth.
When it's all over and we look back and reflect, what are the things that are really important? What are we here for? What makes our life worthwhile? I find these questions difficult to answer. In fact I don't think the answers are the same for everyone.
My Nan was not a career woman. So she did not waste her time on a career. She was not academic and did not enjoy reading. So studying a subject was not something she ever considered. She has holidayed in many places around the world, but was not necessarily a keen traveller and found the heat of the sun uncomfortable.
But there were many things that were important to her. Her family was what held top place on her priorities list. She made her family her life. She was always there to listen when any one of her children or grandchildren needed her. She liked to help out however she could. She wanted to make life easier for those she loved and she would do this just by being available when she was needed. And the thing I loved most about her was that she knew her own mind and would fight for what she believed in. She was not afraid to tell you if you had upset her and she would just as easily be prepared to fight your battle with you if she agreed with your cause and you needed her support.
My Nan did not live a life full of wild adventures and did not have a wall filled with her achievements. She lived a simple life. But she lived a life that was right for her. It was the smaller things in life that fulfilled her. She lived her life surrounding herself by the people that meant everything to her and through looking after those people, she made her life meaningful. Those people will always love and remember her for all of the things that she has done for them. She may no longer be here in a physical sense, but she will live on in our memories and be treasured in our hearts.
So ultimately, when we ask the question what is of most importance and matters in life? The answer is far more simple than we realise. Whatever is important to you, is what matters. There is pressure out there to be somebody, to make a difference and to leave your mark. But we are all somebody to someone, whether it be a mother (father), a sister (brother), a daughter (son) or a friend. The difference you make matters only to those you love. Take actions to make a difference to their life. The world does not need to hear of your successes. Only the people that matter to you. And as for leaving your mark. This one I cannot advise too much on. Whilst I think to reproduce is the natural thing for us to do, I also appreciate that we live in an age of choice and it's not for everyone. You need to consider what you want your legacy to be and this will be your mark.
On Friday 24th June we said our final farewell's to my dear Nan as she was laid to rest. Now we look to the sun in the hope that one day we will be greeted by her smiling face.
Live your life the way YOU want to live it. Do the things that are IMPORTANT to YOU. And live each and everyday of YOUR life with MEANING.
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