My family and I were victims of Hurricane Sandy. FEMA paid for our hotel stay. We were put in a lovely hotel right around the corner from the where the new Year's ball is dropped. We spent Christmas and New Year's there and even though my mom had a mild heart attack, it was a beautiful time and we made some crazy memories
:sigh: So often, when I'm frustrated by one of the stupid hassles life throws at us, and I give in to the temptation to be whiny, I am met with a "teachable moment," a giant perspective shifter. Thanks for sharing a beautifully written reminder, Marc. Also, though, I'm sure that electrician appreciated you extending him grace for the delay. I'm glad you were able to do that.
This is such an important reminder, Marc. Beautiful post and description of your exchange with the other man! That was touching.
Strange timing, but just a few hours ago I was chatting with a friend about this very topic. (She lost power this past weekend.) To have clean water/electricity/a roof over our heads is so easy to overlook, but the moment one or all of these is taken away, it can be eye-opening.
What a beautiful essay, Marc. The power of gratitude and noticing and appreciating what you have when you have it is incredible. Even when we are frustrated with a specific situation, there is always something to be grateful for. I am grateful that my kids are alive and safe. Even through struggles, gratitude lifts us up.
Gratitude indeed. I was looking as something as small as the leaves falling off the tree. A reminder how they will be right back and green in their splendor. Sometimes the reminders we need are just right outside our window.
Time that comes to mind is catching up with a friend from back in the day, they were 100 lbs more of whom they were with trac marks along their forearms and at this point 1 year sober and couldnt have been more proud of them at the same time cognizant of my luck.
I feel like games like the impression game make anything feel like a vacation. Like if Marc was a type of weather (insert category of choosing) what type of weather would they be, and this with whomever with, familiar or strangers.
As always appreciate your vulnerability and truth 🌹
I love how games can make us all feel at home. Last week, Maya and I stacked some of Myles' blocks up and each tried to hit them down while making sure ours didn't fall down. It's really the small things!
This was beautiful. Thx u for these stories. I would feel like I was on vacation if I had my husband who’s been gone for almost 3 years & all my boys. 🙏🫡
I love the way you played with power and power in this essay. And the contrast of what it looks good to have (that shiny truck! ) vs the real gifts. I grapple with so much of that too, as you know.
I enjoyed this essay, Marc. Beautiful reflection on how these ordinary events and exchanges with other people can be life-changing when we look deeper, when we are vulnerable enough to share our humanity with each other. We may have no power but we have each other.
Okay, Marc. You really got me with this one. As soon as the onion fumes leave the room, I'm going to call my giant-sized Myles way up in Canada and tell him how much I love him. I did it yesterday, but that was yesterday. He FaceTimed me on Friday evening for an hour or so, but that was Friday evening.
My family and I were victims of Hurricane Sandy. FEMA paid for our hotel stay. We were put in a lovely hotel right around the corner from the where the new Year's ball is dropped. We spent Christmas and New Year's there and even though my mom had a mild heart attack, it was a beautiful time and we made some crazy memories
Appreciate you for sharing, Jennice. A beautiful thread in the midst of hardship 💜
:sigh: So often, when I'm frustrated by one of the stupid hassles life throws at us, and I give in to the temptation to be whiny, I am met with a "teachable moment," a giant perspective shifter. Thanks for sharing a beautifully written reminder, Marc. Also, though, I'm sure that electrician appreciated you extending him grace for the delay. I'm glad you were able to do that.
Of all the electricians that could of came to do some work on the house, I really believe this one was sent for a reasonn.
This is such an important reminder, Marc. Beautiful post and description of your exchange with the other man! That was touching.
Strange timing, but just a few hours ago I was chatting with a friend about this very topic. (She lost power this past weekend.) To have clean water/electricity/a roof over our heads is so easy to overlook, but the moment one or all of these is taken away, it can be eye-opening.
It's like getting a cold and not being able to breathe through your nose. How easily the smallest things we take for granted *takes deep breath*
So many associations, big and small, with the word power. But it seems like the small moments and experiences hold the kind I love most. Beautiful.
What a beautiful essay, Marc. The power of gratitude and noticing and appreciating what you have when you have it is incredible. Even when we are frustrated with a specific situation, there is always something to be grateful for. I am grateful that my kids are alive and safe. Even through struggles, gratitude lifts us up.
Gratitude indeed. I was looking as something as small as the leaves falling off the tree. A reminder how they will be right back and green in their splendor. Sometimes the reminders we need are just right outside our window.
Beautiful essay, Marc! Short but powerful (no pun intended)
Appreciate you, Ramya.
Da@@ bro, brought a tear to my eye.
Time that comes to mind is catching up with a friend from back in the day, they were 100 lbs more of whom they were with trac marks along their forearms and at this point 1 year sober and couldnt have been more proud of them at the same time cognizant of my luck.
I feel like games like the impression game make anything feel like a vacation. Like if Marc was a type of weather (insert category of choosing) what type of weather would they be, and this with whomever with, familiar or strangers.
As always appreciate your vulnerability and truth 🌹
I love how games can make us all feel at home. Last week, Maya and I stacked some of Myles' blocks up and each tried to hit them down while making sure ours didn't fall down. It's really the small things!
This was beautiful. Thx u for these stories. I would feel like I was on vacation if I had my husband who’s been gone for almost 3 years & all my boys. 🙏🫡
Feel all of that. Reminds me to hold the people I have now a little harder.
Even though I saw it coming — the “power” wordplay — I had no idea how you were going to do it. You got me. Writing through tears.
Through tears of a mother of sons, I thank you for this one. ♥️
I love the way you played with power and power in this essay. And the contrast of what it looks good to have (that shiny truck! ) vs the real gifts. I grapple with so much of that too, as you know.
1. We just closed on a house yesterday in a new city after years of praying and dreaming. Living in a dream come true right now.
I enjoyed this essay, Marc. Beautiful reflection on how these ordinary events and exchanges with other people can be life-changing when we look deeper, when we are vulnerable enough to share our humanity with each other. We may have no power but we have each other.
Okay, Marc. You really got me with this one. As soon as the onion fumes leave the room, I'm going to call my giant-sized Myles way up in Canada and tell him how much I love him. I did it yesterday, but that was yesterday. He FaceTimed me on Friday evening for an hour or so, but that was Friday evening.