Monday, April 23, 2007

HAVE I TOLD YOU LATELY THAT I LOVE YOU?

I have been riding an emotional roller coaster all month long, and its been a rough ride.  I'm ready to get off, except the operator doesn't seem too eager to end the ride.  Its out of my hands so I must just hold on and hang on.

Up:  Gabe is going to be a daddy again... which means I'm going to be a granny again.  Down:  Gabe is going back to Iraq soon.  My heart is already aching.

Up:  Mom's spot behind her eye doesn't seem to be anything to worry about.  Down:  an increasing pain in the stomach and abdomen region has her going back to see her doctor.

Up:  Blondepennie is back online.  Down:  Walt from The Diatom Project is in a Hospice and Demandnlilchit has a new hot spot.

Up:  My co-worker Peggy is okay after a mysterious but serious illness.  Down:  My co-workers Bridgette and Martin both have been diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer.

Times like this, occasions like these give my hum drum piddly problems a new perspective.  Suddenly money problems just don't seem that big.  Those mountains that grew out of mole hills have become insignificant again.  I feel petty and selfish.

On the verge of wonderful break throughs, and on the eve of potential heartache I am reminded of a time when I dared to break tradition by appreciating a wonderful and supportive woman from my husband's unit at a formal function.  After a traumatic illness in my family in which I almost lost a child, this woman whom I barely knew provided emotional and physical support for me and I wanted to honor her at the unit ball.  I was told that it was against protocol, appreciation was rewarded only when the person was leaving the unit.  That made no sense to me.  To truly appreciate someone you should do so at the time, not later, long after the fact.  So I bought a dozen roses and had them presented to this woman who had made such an impact in my life and that of my family, because I wanted her to know that I appreciated her NOW, not just as an after thought when she was leaving.

And so, now, with so much good in our life, and so much sadness, I challenge you all to go to those you appreciate and let them know NOW, how much they mean to you and how much you appreciate them.  Don't wait until it's too late.  Don't wait to pay tribute to a person until they are gone and no longer able to hear you.  Tell them NOW so that they know NOW how important they are to you. 

And it you are reading this then YOU are important to ME!  Thank you!

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

wonderful entry, dorn.  thanks for the reminder.
gina

Anonymous said...

bad things happen to good people sometimes.
Good post, congrats on the new grandbaby.

Anonymous said...

have a good week:)

Deb

Anonymous said...

aaahhh.... and you are important to me dearest J-lander!!  I am so glad that our paths have crossed and will continue to cross.  

Thank you...

And, I am saying prayers for Gabe, your mom, your coworkers and that your financial burdens will ease up.

be well,
Dawn
http://journals.aol.com/princesssaurora/CarpeDiem/

Anonymous said...

Saying prayers.  It's amazing that when we feel down and out....you look around and realize that you truly have molehills and others are climbing impossible mountains.  UNREAL.  "And it you are reading this then YOU are important to ME!  Thank you!"  NO...I thank YOU!!!
Hugs,
Gina

Anonymous said...

Seems this has been my year for being sure I let each and every person I know and love how much they mean to me.  You too!  

Anonymous said...

you are very important too.
I suggest you send her some flowers anyway.:)

Anonymous said...

Dorn... Gabe is on my mind and in my heart everyday...He is my Hero!

Anonymous said...

I've noticed a lack of entries.  Sometimes it's just hard to journal when life is crazy and unfun.  I, personally, have about had it with the whole cancer thing.  Cancer needs to find something better to do with it's time.
Congrats on the new grandchild!
Traci

Anonymous said...

Thank you Jody.....prayers always being said you you all & Gabe.

Love YOU...

Michele
http://journals.aol.com/glensfork4/these-are-my-thoughts/

Anonymous said...

((((((Dorn))))))
What a beautiful, bittersweet entry.
Hugs & prayers to you, and to the others mentioned in this entry.

Anonymous said...

been riding a similar rollercoaster and soooo ready to get off!!!! I would jump but am afraid ti would do more damage!
Becky

Anonymous said...

Wonderful entry! Your important to me too hon! I know no matter what is going on in my life I can visit you and suddenly my day is lighter, brighter. You have a beautiful spirit and this entry shows that in full. If we had never know hardship would we recognize love and peace? Life is a balance, albiet at times it seems way out of whack.....eventually it settles down again into a soothing calm we can all use.
Keeping everyone in my prayers on the smoke!! (Hugs) Indigo

Anonymous said...

http://journals.aol.com/mutualaide/LifeOnFlamingoRow/
Kathy

Jodi, I didn't know what to say (still don't) to your letting us know Gabe is going back to Iraq.  I'm just going to let you know that my very good thoughts are going his way and prayers too.  

Anonymous said...

Wow!   Speechless describes me right now, dear daughter.    Good news, we love you.  End of news report. All else doesn't count.

Anonymous said...

What a timely speech and oh so true.

             Julie

Anonymous said...

Ahhh the ups and downs keeps it interesting and sometimes brings us back down to earth to realize what we should be appreciating.  Great entry!
Tabatha

Anonymous said...

sorry about the downs...........i truly am.  but the last portion of your entry rings so true.  don't send me flowers to my funeral...........send them now so i can smell them...........then party hardy when i am gone.

regina

Anonymous said...

You are so right in what you have just said.
I was always too reticent, too reserved, to offer my hearfelt feelings as most folks shrug off compliments with a 'Oh!   It's all right...no problem...don't even mention it'....etc; etc;
But how could that be, when I always appreciated a compliment and it felt so good to recieve one.  So now....I praise and say all that is in my heart. We never know when we will knock on God's door. If I can lift one persons heart out of the doldrums just once with a kind word or gesture, then my little space here on earth was justified.  Lead with your hear and soul not with your brain I say, just like you did.  We can talk ourselves out of so much!
I too have just become a grandma for the 'fifth time'.  A little girl called Amy Grace.  Her name reminds me of the hymn...'Amazing Grace'.
God Bless and keep your Gabe safe.  I will pray for his protection whilst he is on duty in Iraq.   My son once cross trained from problem fixing  the Victor air refuelling plane to repairing the electronics on theTornado Jets when the first Gulf war broke out.  My heart leapt in my throat but fortunately it was a short war and he wasn't needed.  Jeanie

Anonymous said...

Meeting you was the highlight of our whole trip last year. I love you.

Anonymous said...

oh I have missed reading your journal. I finally put my mind to writing, and editing the book about my life in Japan. So this is taking all my spare time. I just pop in here hit or miss. I check on Kim, pray for her.  So many people are sick now it is just a damn shame. I know what you mean about feeling lucky, my little complaints are nothing compared to what our friends are going through. Sandisan