So, I'm sitting in a hospital waiting room after two weeks of following the ups & downs of recovery from a very scary ride that will not be detailed here. Suffice it to say, this ride has driven home some perspective on what priorities are important in life.
This sounds cliche, I know, but we often get so caught up in the little things that don't really matter in the big scheme of things that we lose sight of the beauty of life as a whole. Sadly, a simple ritual like stopping to feel the texture of a branch of pine needles seems so minuscule or redundant until your routine has been completely interrupted by a life threatening trauma of some sort.
What has mattered the last 2 weeks has been family being pulled closer together, friends from near and far reaching out and prayers being said from so many people we know and don't know. Tears come easily when your guard is lowered. No matter what strength you think you possess, life can still bring you to your knees.
We were lucky this time around. Prayers have been answered and a second chance has been given. Barring unforeseen obstacles or circumstances, this week should allow a release back into the real world again. From where I sit today, it appears more branches will be felt, flowers gazed upon and smelled, relationships appreciated, and life, in general, lived.
A routine was interrupted without warning. We are truly thankful for everyone who responded so quickly and saved a life that day.
Jeff Van Devender
The JavaMusiK BloG: Wayward ramblings and the occasional random musing,
sometimes actually related to JavaMusiK, from the alpine road.
