What I Live For
The theme this week is to share an important quote and what it means to you. (Click on the pic to take you to others' quotes).
I guess I'm *loosely* following the theme, because in one book I read last Christmas there were two that really stood out. I'm sorry it's a bit lengthy, but I've bolded the quotes if you only have time to skim. It explains a bit about my journey with Tyler. Here you go:
I wonder if all people wish for a Walden, a philosophical retreat where the sounds of nature are the only accompaniment and meditation can rule supreme. A few years may be too much to hope for, especially for a wife and mother of a young family. A few minutes per day, maybe even twenty, now that’s realistic. Although I disagree with Mr. Thoreau on a number of points (that old people have nothing useful to tell us, the whole farmer thing, et al), I have found that reading Walden has me wishing for a new pair of eyes - eyes that can strip life down to its barest essentials, its plainest truths and revel in them. I know I will have to retrain my eyes to truly see and myself to truly live.
The section "What I Lived For" helped me to begin this process. Thoreau tells us, "To affect the quality of the day, that is the highest of arts." We can allow the day to affect the quality in us – there is no difficulty in this, but to seize the day and will it to be affected by us, and so affect its quality accordingly – that is when miracles happen. This is truly living.
My days began to affect me more and more, I was overcome with grief and a lack of understanding – how could something so terrible happen to such an innocent child, to his family? This was no way to live, and I realized it even more by reading that simple section in Walden.
Standing off to one side, I might only see the glint of the blade that presents misery and grief; or on the other side, a denial of all that is happening, thus missing an opportunity to grasp the present moment. Facing it straight on, I can see that this is a time to cherish, a difficult time to be sure, but an amazing gift nonetheless. I have realized how important a role family plays in my life and the lives of my husband and children. I know how precious each minute is when the next might slip away as the last. Each minute spent with my son, holding him (even though he is 14 years old), talking with him, and loving him is deliberate.
14 comments:
Simply beautiful! What an uplifting and inspiring post. I needed to hear these things. Thank you so much for sharing. We all need to remember to live and love our life to the fullest!
Life is what happens to us along the way. Oh that we might grasp and treasure every moment of every day instead of wishing it away.
I love this post. This is my favorite line: "We can allow the day to affect the quality in us – there is no difficulty in this, but to seize the day and will it to be affected by us, and so affect its quality accordingly – that is when miracles happen. This is truly living." I have to admit, it has been a loooong time since I have read Walden. But I liked seeing it through your eyes better. And you wrote so beautifully and heartfelt. Loved it, Corrie.
Lovely. Many prayers for your health and that of your son.
This is a lovely post, thank you for sharing from your heart. I will add your family to my prayer list as you make this journey together.
What an insightful post. You are so strong and so honest. We all have times when we walk in the valley, but you have taken this time to learn how to Live!!! Thank you.
May you walk through all this with your hand tightly wrapped in the hand of God! Blessings and prayers on you and your family!
You have such an incredible outlook! I also love Henry David Thoreau - you interpretation of his words is inspiring!
This is a very poignant post. I'm going right now to deliberately hug my children and Live.
Thank you, Corrie.
To love genuinely, this is what I live for.
What a beautiful and touching post. Thank you for the dose of reality and remembering what is really, really important today.
Your post is so inspirational and touching. I include your family on my prayer list. Thank you so much for sharing this special quote today.
May you have a BLESSED day!
"We live to learn. . ." I like this. We are learning every minute of life whether or not we are aware of it. Your post is very thought provoking!
This was breathtakingly beautiful. There is nothing so significant than when someone is faced with a real challenge in life and they face it head on and go for it. Thank you so much for participating with Lei and me this week. Your words were inspirational.
I've been on vacation and am just now getting around to all the links.
Your post is beautiful! It's so easy to take the beauty of life for granted. I wish the best for you and your son.
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