Life is so fragile. It may seem robust when we look at the hurley burly of traffic, deadlines and positive goal setting. The truth is it is extremely fragile and although it is trite to say, we really only have today promised.
After returning from my adventure in South Africa, I found myself sitting on my sofa on a wet Saturday afternoon wondering. I had such a wonderful time spending time in the country of my birth. It was simply an awesome adventure in the sunshine. And yet here I was in my living room, feeling a little sorry for myself. I was surrounded by laundry drying indoors and contemplating the choices I have made in my life.
I think we all know this feeling. The what ifs, and what could be if only something would change or was different.
Life is fragile
I then got news that a dear friend in South Africa had her life completely altered between going to bed and facing the new day. Her husband was shot and killed. This was a man in the prime of his life, father to two young men and husband to my friend. His life was literally snatched and he no longer has any tomorrows.
The friends and family that are left behind have had their lives altered to such a degree that their tomorrows are dramatically altered. A complete act of violence has created a fork in the road, and placed a road block on the original path.
This is just a huge reminder to me that life is fragile. When I hear of tragedy and loss I am always reminded that we have an obligation to live each day with joy, remembering to be kind to others and to embrace possibility.
Don’t get me wrong, I still think it is very important to have dreams and visions and to strive to be a better person every day. I constantly dream and plan for a future where I am living a life that is filled with all that I desire. I work towards this too and practice journaling every day making plans for travel, work and creative pursuits.
I also continue with writing my book (almost complete now) where I share how I have changed my own life. But, truthfully as we are reminded so often life is fragile. It is delicate and should be nurtured and appreciated every day, and every minute of every day.
Cherishing my Adventure
I had so many wonderful experiences on my trip and I have the pleasure of being able to look back and remember them. A bit like the song from the Sound of Music, these are a few of my favourite things. Memories of moments, memories of people and reminders that living each day like it is your last is the only way to live this fragile life.
- The bitter sweet taste of creamy cappuccino shared with my Mom and Dad. Spooning the foamy froth from the bottom of the cup and relishing the bubbles popping on my tongue.
- Sitting in my parents living room watching my son graduate with tears in my eyes because I wasn’t there, but joyful ones because I got to watch.
- The prickle of heat sitting outside having breakfast and watching whales frolic in the ocean with my wonderful friends in Port Elizabeth.
- Watching ice cream melt in front of me because I was so absorbed in chatting to a client in person that I had only ever met on Skype.
- Waking up to freshly prepared fruit including African paw paw (papaya) prepared by my Dad.
- Meeting my Facebook friends in real life.
- Presenting my Deep Dive events and getting to know such wonderful woman, and understanding the value of woman who support woman.
- Taking my joy of craft to a new audience.
- I know I ate far too much cake, but I have no regrets. The cake that was served with two forks for sharing was always the best.
- I felt so connected to my African roots in the Rietvlei Nature Reserve watching and photographing my favourite zebras and then laughing so much when it was pointed out that the Zebra in front of my lens was excited and showing off his private parts!
- I had really special times that were not traditionally high points. Spending time working alongside my old friends, and simply chatting.
- I drank many cups of tea and spent many hours just being with the people who are special and the richness of my life.
- I saw old friends and met new friends. I had a princess birthday party in October when my birthday is actually in June. Thank you to my special mom and dad for making this happen for me.
Life is a fragile vessel
I could go on and on sharing little memories, and although I won’t bore you, I am making a mental promise to myself to life me my life as though it is a precious and fragile, but valuable vessel.
A vessel filled with memories and lessons learnt and lots of capacity of future dreams. But most of all I am going to life my life relishing every single moment of every day and know that when I lay my head to sleep at night that I have lived and added to the lives around me.
Life is fragile and tomorrow isn’t promised for any of us.
Thank you for reading
Kerry xx
I am dedicating this blog post my friend Nikki Bush and her family. Her late husband no longer has any tomorrows as a result of senseless violence.
So so true .Sorry to hear of your friends husband’s death very tragic .I can feel your sense of “What am I doing here ” looking at grey skies and damp clothes after the sun and brightness of your travels.This will pass as I always feel agitated after a lengthy trip abroad .
I am embracing the winter now being all cosy with warm fires and friendship! xx
It was a pleasure to read your account of your trip. It brought back many memories for me of trips home; my dad preparing the paw paw for my breakfast and making me a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice. I loved those visits home to my parents’s home and sleeping in the very bunk bed which I had slept in growing up. The memories bring tears to my eyes as my parents are now both gone. My mother always told us to “live each day as though it were our last”. This isn’t really possible but being conscious of the way we spend each day and valuing it as special is a step in the right direction.
I am so sorry about the death of your friend’s husband. How truly awful and heart breaking. I wish her peace … which I know will be a long way off especially if the man died in a violent way.
I wish you peace and happiness too as you get back to “old clothes and porridge”. I am sure that you will have heard that expression too when you were growing up.
This Thursday is Thanksgiving in the United States and it is a most wonderful holiday. Everyone slows down and gives thought to what they are grateful for. I am grateful for life and health and family. With only my daughter coming home for this holiday, I won’t be cooking a turkey but rather, I’ll be roasting a chicken which will make me think back to Sundays in my home in SA. Always there was a roast chicken on the lunch table with roast potatoes and vegetables, some of which my father had grown in the back yard garden.
Thinking of you and all your family and sending love.
Peggy
Thank you for that beautiful message. Let’s eat paw paw and remember and then celebrate life xx
the celebrationof living is a must and if we don’t we are dishonouring those who were taken away too early. Lovly article Kerry.
You are so right. We need to celebrate each and every day we are given x
What a wonderful message and so touched my heart. I went through high school with Nikki and she was my head girl. Life indeed is fragile.
What a small world it is. Hope you are keeping well xx
We are so glad that your visit to our shores was successful. Really must make a plan to meet for a cuppa next time around.
We are all very sad for Nikki Bush. This country is supposed to be going through a transformation but what pattern can we follow to see the end goal … Zimbabwe … or Botswana?
It really is hard to process it all. I will be back in 2018 and we will prioritise a cuppa!