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Today I took the time to visit my parents. It's something I don't always take the time to do, but today I needed to. Their house was badly damaged by Hurricane Sandy and they had to evacuate. Their cars flooded. Their house flooded and the roof was ripped off like the lid of a sardine can. I just needed to see them, to hug them, to be near them and know that they are alive and breathing and making it through the loss of a home they have spent a lot of the past 2 years working together to fix and make into a liveable retirement home. I didn't really want to leave them. I have 3 sons who need me here at home, so I had to leave. But that little visit made my whole week and then some. They are ok. They are survivors. Their smiles warmed my heart and their voices soothed my soul. A little visit that made a big impression on my heart.
As a music lover, I was sad to see lots of sopping wet CD cases laying around and opened them to see what could be salvaged. We dried them off and they are ok! It was exciting to find a CD entitled 'Hope' that was completely unharmed...the only one that water didn't sop into. It gave me some comfort to know that my parents' music would be there for them to cheer their spirits. A little thing that can mean so very much.
My Dad's Marine uniform had gotten damaged from the floods, but the hat, which has his name stamped inside, was completely unharmed and will be well-loved by grandsons who will love pretending to be as strong and brave as their Pop Pop. A little thing of joy.
I sat in a local restaurant next to my Mom tonight, eating a cup of the most delicious local soup and sandwich I have ever tasted. We were ragged and probably smelled like the sea water that had flooded the house, but were welcomed with smiles and warmth and for that span of time, it felt like everything in the world was going to be ok. The little gift of hospitality and friendship.
My family had the great honor this month of being nominated as Peace Seekers by the Mattie J.T. Stepanek Foundation: http://www.mattieonline.com/?page_id=8842
Mattie
Stepanek had a real gift for words and for describing all of the little
things that filled his life in big, meaningful ways. You can read more about him here: http://www.mattieonline.com/?page_id=15
A little peacemaker with an amazingly huge impact.
I think we all need to become peace seekers. And it is not always easy, but what I have learned from Mattie is that it is a choice. And it is a choice we can all make. It starts with each one of us and flows through the little things we do each day, the way we interact with our friends and our families and spreads out into our world.
Do you seek peace? What are the little things that bring joy, hope, comfort and peace to you and those you love? Whatever they are, may they be abundant in your life! <3 br="br">
Kate,
ReplyDeleteI cried as I read through your blog. First off, thanks so much for coming down to comfort us during this traumatic time....it meant so much to us. We were tossing everything that got soaked in the flood, but you had the patience to look through and salvage things that have so much meaning to us and I appreciate it. My little set of mini cars that I have saved forever....they are now safe and dry back in their glass jar....my many CD's (that I love) have all had a chance to dry inside and I'm anxious to pop one into my CD player, soft blankets that were lying around in water that you took home to launder....someone else can feel their warmth. For these and much more, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. You were there for me to cry on your shoulder if necessary, to share a nice, relaxing meal (just the two of us) to talk through what had transpired in the last few days. Up until that point I was holding everything in and I so needed you at that time.
As we move through live trying to live peacefully, I will think of Mattie's words to live by.
With God's blessings we now have heat again in our home and all of our electricity is working too. How I so appreciate these things that we all take for granted. I so look forward to sleeping in my own bed tonight after almost a week of sleeping elsewhere.
As I continue through life I will strive to make peace in all areas of my life.
Love,
Mom