How Important It Is to Cherish Every Day with Loved Ones
Recently, I’ve been reflecting on what I would change if I were truly limited in my time on this earth. I think I would worry less about the trivial, material things and spend more time with my children, my husband, my sisters, and my parents. Even now, there are evenings when I want to sew, but the kids are craving my attention. I tell myself, “Stop! Spend time with the kids (they’re so wonderful!), and you can sew tomorrow afternoon when they’re at daycare.”
I realize that I don’t need to search for some grand mission or purpose; I just need to be “good” in my current role. If you’re a mom, be a good mom; if you’re a doctor, be a good doctor, and so on. Be good here and now, not somewhere else or at some other time.
Sometimes I find myself wanting more children, but I also recognize why I wouldn’t truly want that. People often envision parenting as an ideal experience, but when you face the reality (which can be harsh), it can lead to a deep depression when you realize it’s much harder than you imagined. It’s emotionally taxing, and it’s FOREVER! You will FOREVER worry about your child, strive to give them the best (and sometimes, to give something, you first need to have it), and you FOREVER need the moral strength to engage with your child, to dedicate your time to their upbringing (and they won’t always be the way you envision or want them to be). The health of your child plays a huge role—when they’re unwell, it’s a hundred times harder…
I live by the principle: do everything you can from your human side and then place it all in God’s hands. When I’m unsure how to handle a serious situation, I relax and say, “Not as I want, but as God wills.” Everything will resolve itself in the best way possible. The key is to listen to the signs and not force events to happen. You need to pay attention to yourself; if something isn’t working out, perhaps it simply doesn’t belong in your life.
Iren