Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Wishcasting Wednesday


    The question for today over at Jaime Ridler's 'Wishcasting Wednesday' http://jamieridlerstudios.ca/ 'What luxury do you wish for yourself?' was one I almost passed by. I have to admit that when I first saw the question for today I really didn't feel the pull to participate that I usually do each Wednesday. I didn't feel as if there were any 'things' that I could possibly wish for that would bring any more joy or satisfaction into my life. I have too many 'things' as I am often reminded on cleaning days and laundry days...I have all the basics, food, shelter, clothing even loving relationships.
   Then I remembered a lesson we tried to teach our high school youth group at church last spring. We can donate clothing and food, we can throw money at our favorite charities but the most valualble thing we can give is our time. Why??? because our time is finite, we have a certain amount of it and no amount of riches will buy you more. It is our most valuable possession, making it the greatest thing we can share.
   My dear sweet husband, a very loving man, is a 'workaholic'. I have to practically stand on my head to get him to take a break and give in to spending down time with his family. Vacations are always a struggle to take, even his weekends are filled with 'chores'. I have tried to tell him that we would rather have his time than all the riches he can bring to us by working harder but it's a difficult idea to instill in a man who believes his primary function is to provide for his family. I often hate to approach the subject with him as I know he feels he is giving everything so that we may live in this comfort he feels we 'need'.
   Five years agao my older and only brother suffered a brain aneurysm and survived three brain surgeries. We are blessed to still have him with us but he is not, nor will he ever be the same man again. He is permanently disabled and legally blind. He too was a workahloic, never taking time off and now he will never do the things he thought he would get to 'someday'.  He is the same age as my husband, you would think this would have had an impact on hubby's work habits, it didn't.
   Last night I received a phone call from my older and only sister, she has been diagnosed with lung cancer. I feel numb, heavy hearted, lost. My sister was much older than I when I was growing up (more of a mother figure than sister) so it's only been recently that we have really reconnected and started enjoying each other's company. We laugh, talk, antique and shop together. She taught me how to sew last fall. This cannot be happening, my heart screams! I just found her again, I can't lose her now! I am thankful that we have connected the last few years but I want more, more days sewing together, more days shopping for vintage things, more times sharing meals and laughter, more time!!!
   So if I could wish for a luxury, it would be TIME. Time to love more, laugh more, connect more...but remember where I started, our time is finite so time cannot be wished for. We simply need to cherish each and every moment we have been given.  Never postpone joy, kindness or happiness. Live each day as if it's your last, or your loved one's last, squeeze every possible second to show love, share love, give love, deserved or not, unrequited or not. Simply love...

25 comments:

  1. As Diva wishes for herself, I wish for her also.
    Thank you so much for sharing your hopes, fears and wishes here. I will send you and your sister healing thoughts and prayers.
    May you have the time you are yearning for.

    ReplyDelete
  2. As Diva wishes for herself, I wish for her also.

    Wow, you expressed so well what I was trying to get at, but could not quite, this morning. I so hope you and your sister continue to connect and enjoy your time together and I send my best wishes for her health.

    ReplyDelete
  3. For the Luxury of Time... I do so completely and lovingly combine with your wish for you... Many hugs, calm and peace to you and your family Diva, with all my heart♥
    ~Shamsi

    ReplyDelete
  4. As Diva wishes for herself, so I wish for her also.

    ReplyDelete
  5. As Diva wishes for herself, so do I wish for her as well, knowing that love knows no boundaries of time, space or dimension.

    ReplyDelete
  6. As Diva wishes for herself, I wish for her also.

    What a thought-provoking wish. Really beautifully expressed. Thanks for the reminder.

    And prayers of healing to you and your sister now.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Beautifully expressed...may your hopes and wishes be realized...you and your sister will be in my thoughts and prayers.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Quite right, dear Diva, TIME is a luxury nowadays, so as you wish for yourself I joyfully wish for you also! :)
    Take care!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Time is a recurring theme this Wednesday. It can not be created, borrowed, or bought, and whether spent or wasted, it disappears forever. Perhaps our most precious commodity.

    As Diva wishes for herself, so I wish for her also.

    -TimK

    ReplyDelete
  10. You know what I wish right now? I wish I could be there to hug you in real time instead of cyber hugging you. Really.

    I'm so sorry to hear about all of this. I was reading what you wrote about not feeling the pull to participate and I was feeling the same. But, I have to say, I am so very glad that you did. Very glad that you put this story out there for us.

    Happy you took the TIME to help us remember what's real and important. True. Right. Just.

    Thank you for that.

    As Our Diva wishes for herself, so I lovingly and with intention wish for her also.

    Love & Light...

    ReplyDelete
  11. As Diva wishes for herself, I so wish for her as well...

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hello dear Diva,

    What a beautiful heartfelt post. Too many of us think that these things can ever happen to us so we let time go by, not appreciating our families or what we have. When something does happen then we wish we had more time...as you say, let's not wait until that happens, let's give our time NOW!! My heart goes out to you, I can well imagine what a shock it's been learning that your sister has lung cancer...please know that she is in my prayers. Sending big hugs across the miles. xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  13. Warm wishes to you and your family. Our thoughts are with you.

    ReplyDelete
  14. As Diva wishes for herself, so I wish for her. "Never postpone joy, kindness or happiness." These words ring so true. My dad went into the hospital on Tuesday and last night I got word that my sister will have breast surgery in three weeks. I hope you can help your husband to slow down and savor life.

    ReplyDelete
  15. As Diva wishes for herself, so I wish for her also

    ReplyDelete
  16. As Diva wishes for herself, so I wish for her also! :)

    Wise words indeed!

    And with my well-wishes, I send healing to your family. :)

    ReplyDelete
  17. Hi Diva,

    I wish your brother and sister to be well. You are so right that time is the greatest gift! Neat to open a box and find just the word "time" inside. Maybe, I'll try that this year. I totally agree with making time for yourself, to get off the work treadmill before it hurts you when it starts going so fast, you end up being hurled off.

    I wish for your family to be healthy and for you to find the time to be with them and them to be with you.

    Giulietta, Inspirational Rebel
    http://www.giuliettathemuse.com

    ReplyDelete
  18. i couldn't agree more....time is such a luxury, and we never seem to have enough of it. my heart goes out to you, your sister and your family.....i'll be saying a prayer for you....

    ReplyDelete
  19. xoxo ~ I totally understand what you are saying and why you are wishing this.. so I pray that all your wishes and dreams come true xo

    make every single moment count..

    ReplyDelete
  20. Let us raise our prayers up together, Diva, along with your loved ones and blog buddies. Neither your sister nor her loved ones (including you!) walks this alone. NOT. FOR. ONE. SECOND.

    Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God... Phil. 4:6

    If you get a chance,please email me her name so I can put her on the big prayer line I belong to.

    Courage, strength, comfort and love from me to you!

    ReplyDelete
  21. I have a workaholic husband as well. I don't know how long you've been married or how old your children are, but I can tell you that our boys are 17 and 20 and my husband's biggest regret is that he didn't do much with them when they were growing up, having always put work and chores first. Please tell your husband to slow down cause he'll NEVER get that time back.
    Take Care,
    Tracy M.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Oh yes Diva, time, time with loved ones is a precious thing.

    I am so sorry to hear about your brother and your sister. Love them while they are here and god bless you dear one.

    Love Renee xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  23. Your exactly right. Living with anger and hostility is such a robber of living a fulfilling life. Time is so precious, as are our families. Thanks for the comments, Lori

    ReplyDelete
  24. I will pray for your sister! How heartbreaking it must be to experience the hardships that your siblings have had to endure. Just remember the most precious lasting memories are often in the small stolen moments not in the big long planned spans of time.
    My best to you and your siblings,
    Amy

    ReplyDelete
  25. peace, blessings, love, and gratitude to you

    ReplyDelete