What if we could see into the future?
What might we do different?
If we saw today, in the past, how might that have affected our choices?
The death of a friend and a new series on television has sparked some thoughts on this subject...
I have tried in the past to claim I am 29, but when 7-year-old grandchildren scoff, "Oh Nonna, you are 50 something" the gig is up. As 100 years (with the millennium) is a best case scenario it is clear that my life is at least half over.
Recently a friend in our ward passed away unexpectedly. He died on a Sunday evening, having been in perfect health and attending church that morning. He was 10 years older than Dan. Although we feel we are young and have many more years together, our friend's passing reminds us that each day is a gift. We've always hoped that the millennium would come before we had to face the reality of mortality.
The passing of our friend has changed how I see my life. The current "holding pattern" of health, security and companionship will someday come to an end. To consider if I had only 10 more years to be together with my husband would be frightening, but to naively think that life will never change is unwise.
What if we could see into the future?
I think that my entire life I have looked to the future as the cure all for unhappiness, stress and frustrations. Whether it was finding the perfect husband, getting the kids out of diapers or serving a mission with my husband - the future always held the promise of happiness. My perspective is changing now. Although I don't want to be that grandma that sits on the couch and talks about the past, the future will have a hard time beating it. Now more than ever I want to treasure the time that is now.
What might we do different?
If we saw today, in the past, how might that have affected our choices?
The death of a friend and a new series on television has sparked some thoughts on this subject...
I have tried in the past to claim I am 29, but when 7-year-old grandchildren scoff, "Oh Nonna, you are 50 something" the gig is up. As 100 years (with the millennium) is a best case scenario it is clear that my life is at least half over.
Recently a friend in our ward passed away unexpectedly. He died on a Sunday evening, having been in perfect health and attending church that morning. He was 10 years older than Dan. Although we feel we are young and have many more years together, our friend's passing reminds us that each day is a gift. We've always hoped that the millennium would come before we had to face the reality of mortality.
The passing of our friend has changed how I see my life. The current "holding pattern" of health, security and companionship will someday come to an end. To consider if I had only 10 more years to be together with my husband would be frightening, but to naively think that life will never change is unwise.
What if we could see into the future?
I think that my entire life I have looked to the future as the cure all for unhappiness, stress and frustrations. Whether it was finding the perfect husband, getting the kids out of diapers or serving a mission with my husband - the future always held the promise of happiness. My perspective is changing now. Although I don't want to be that grandma that sits on the couch and talks about the past, the future will have a hard time beating it. Now more than ever I want to treasure the time that is now.
In my deep thinking mode a few nights ago, it was almost as if I was transported back in time. Remembering myself in our first apartment, sleeping on our hand-me-down bed, eating on a garage sale table and sitting on a D.I. reject couch. I was so happy to have found the perfect man, my new life was just beginning. I had lofty dreams and goals, but never would I have imagined the journey ahead. The places I've been, homes I've lived in, the things I've owned - all beyond my wildest dreams. But they are not what I remember, what I cherish. Not even a Sleep Number bed and two dressers can compare with the love of my life, Daniel and our children. Life brings us amazing experiences, many more than we imagined at 18 and 21 when we began our journey together.
Reflecting on the past, then flash forward to now - I realize that life moves quickly in retrospect, while crawling slowly, tentatively, in the present. Although some of the "experiences" are ones we wish didn't happen, they have all worked together to create the reality of today.
Today is wonderful!
Reflecting on the past, then flash forward to now - I realize that life moves quickly in retrospect, while crawling slowly, tentatively, in the present. Although some of the "experiences" are ones we wish didn't happen, they have all worked together to create the reality of today.
Today is wonderful!
