We take so much for granted. Our families, our health, our jobs… maybe just life in general? We have so much yet we’re never satisfied. It isn’t until something happens that we realize we should be appreciative of what we have. And that’s a reminder to myself too.

The recession is affecting people’s lives including my friends. I have been talking with some of you & will be shifting those conversations to my blog in a more general sense. Life can be challenging at times. But we also need the bad times to appreciate when times are good.

On November 10th my sister & I went up to visit my Dad after he had emergency surgery. He’s relatively young at 67 & things appeared as expected. The next day found him being transferred 4 hrs away to a regional hospital in ICU for 5 days, then another 3 days in the hospital. And he left the hospital being dependent on dialysis which was frustrating for him.

On both of my shopping trips in the past week I received phone calls from Dad. The first was last Friday. I’m sure I looked pretty silly when I almost started to cry on a cell phone call, but Dad’s news that his lab work meant he was going home to avoid the blizzard & for Christmas was pretty incredible. He said that,

It was the best Christmas gift ever!

Then on Monday he called with test results that affirmed our hopes. Dad said that he had expected to have a good quality of life til he was 80 & this experience had been quite humbling.

I’m sharing this story not because I think it will help people cope with being laid off or the economy but rather because I think it helps put things into perspective. For me relationships & health are much more important than the monetary aspects of life. Of course we have financial obligations, but I believe that if you have skills & a willingness to work you WILL find opportunities. That’s what my blog is all about & I WILL continue to write about those topics. I’ve proven it myself.

And if my Dad’s example isn’t compelling enough, then I’ll add Debbie’s story. Debbie’s husband came into ICU the day after my Dad did. We got to know her in the family room. She came to know our family/issues & we came to know hers. Her husband is still in the hospital. His diagnosis before we left the hospital was cancer of the lymph nodes. CaringBridge.org is an amazing website, but every time I get an update in my email, my heart drops. I have followed along as Debbie’s husband has had numerous surgeries & procedures. She adds her thoughts & fears as she relays the news. The most recent was to place a mechanism in his skull for delivery of chemo.

After 2 months in ICU, he is now in the regular hospital. He took four steps yesterday. The prognosis is 2 to 6 months. It is all so very sad. They are in their fifties.

But it underlines my motivation to continue to do what I can for everyone. And to live my life to it’s fullest & pursue my dreams of travel & educating others. There is so much to do & it’s an exciting time despite the challenges that life throws at us.

Do you periodically step back & appreciate what you have despite the short term challenges? What can you do to help those around you?