When you think about what people say were the greatest days of their lives, they are usually days where something big happened. A day where their lives were changed, or their perspectives were changed. When I ask the people in my life what they considered a great day, I get the standard answers. Wedding day, day of a child's birth, the day a dream job was achieved, the day that perfect person was met, and others. But - why do great days always have to be big days? As I looked back, some of my most perfect days were ones where nothing important happened - but I felt better about life because of that day.
Some of my great days are days I have spent at home, alone - just being in my own place. Getting to do what I wanted, whether it be reading, watching a favorite movie, or just getting the chance to think my own thoughts. These days seem very rare - because I have usually scheduled myself to be out and about to the point where I sometimes only come home to sleep! But - every so often I'll have a day where I can sit in my PJ's all day if I want - and sometimes that can make a day great in my book!
Others were days where I have had impulsive get together's with friends. Getting together to have a BBQ or watch a football game. On those days, we are always glad to be with each other - because we had the impulsive need for one another. Sometimes we decide to go out for an evening - sing some kareoke - blow off some steam. And other times - we decide to get the kids together and swim for the afternoon - something about watching a child play can be soothing. One such day - included an impromptu trip to the Omaha Zoo - we loaded up all the kids, some food, and took a caravan trip up there and had the most amazing day!
And sometimes, my family can surprise me. We are a family who has always been big on family dinners. And they are usually okay - but just normal family time. But - once in a while, we will have one of those great dinners. The type where everyone gets along. Sometimes it will be because we are playing with the kids in the yard - sometimes it's because the older generations start to reminiscing - and sometimes it's because my generation gets to acting like we did when we were younger, before life came in between us. Sometimes it just all comes together - like the day of my 6 year old cousin's birthday. We had a big dinner - opened presents - and then set off fireworks for hours. All of us sat on the porch - joking around, chasing kids, trying not to start fires! It was perfect.
I love times like that. And they don't have to center around a big change in life - or a big event. Sometimes they just happen. And days like that are what makes me want to keep going. Keep trying. Keep living. Because I hope to have those great big days too - I hope to meet that person, get that perfect job, have a wedding day, give birth to a child. But - until then - I am so thankful to have those great little days in between. Days like those are what makes me remember to be thankful for what I have in life - not just long for what I want. To all those in my life who have given me one of these times to look back on - I thank you with all I have!
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2 comments:
I am with you. There is no competing with a memory that gives you hope and joy. It can be simple. It can be free. It can be just you and a book. There is no one in the world that can love you the way that you do. I wish that those were the memories that we hold dear in our hearts instead of letting our selves get down. I can see the start of a novel - a memior - "living the life I was meant to live" by Bo-wini. I have faith in you.
by the way - a great day - is sometimes to much pressure to admit how selfishly we want to choose a day that is not a pubic announcement but an independent thought. - go easy on them.
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