“Don’t be fooled by the calendar. There are only as many days in the year as you make use of.” ~ Charles Richards
Every now and then we get a much needed reminder about how important this is.
Yesterday morning I had a job that ended at 2:00. At that time I checked my phone for messages. I had one from my husband telling me that he had to check into the emergency room of the hospital that afternoon and that probably he would have an operation tomorrow – maybe to remove a kidney. I was at least 35 – 40 minutes from home. I called him back to say I was on my way. On the drive home, I called (hands free device) a person that I was to have a coaching call with that evening. I made lists in my head of who I had to contact to shut down my business for at least this week and to give a “heads up” to the person I was giving a presentation with this Saturday.
I arrived home. My husband had his bag packed. He expected me to drive him to the emergency room and come home. Was he crazy? I immediately packed a tote bag with paperwork, a book, my calendar, chargers, my iPad, a bottle of water, and a sandwich. I knew my way around that hospital and the emergency room pretty well as I had spent a lot of time there with my previous husband before he died. I was scared but at the same time trying very hard to put positive spins on the situation. I did not want to attract bad karma.
After many hours, more tests, and phone calls to the doctor who wanted him admitted and the surgeon on duty, it was decided that this was not an emergency nor was an operation necessary. Instead of looking at a kidney, they were looking at appendicitis and the medicines the doctor had already prescribed when he thought he was probably treating diverticulitis was doing the job on the appendix. That evening we were released to come home.
The evening sky was lovely, the house was warm and inviting, the cats were waiting , and we were very happy. Today, since my clients were already cancelled, I took the time to do some extra coaching calls, set back up the rest of my week, and really savor the joy of sleeping in late with my husband and going about a more leisurely and reflective day.
We never know what the future holds, so let us all remember to love and savor the now.
Jonda S. Beattie Professional Organizer