Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Learning To Live In The Moment

It is a sad week here as our dear friend is losing his battle with cancer.  He was diagnosed last August at the age of 45, and being of amazing faith he said he would beat this.  He is one of the kindest,most generous and faithful people we have ever met.  He was also one of the most hard working too.  I am trying to understand why these things happen and what purpose his loss has in the scheme of life. Where is the lesson in all of this? My mother who saw him 2 weeks ago recalls something very poignant that he said to her, and that was "I thought I was young and that I had time, I worked so much and so hard to give my family a better life, and I was thinking of what was in the future like to retire early and spend time with them then. I now can no longer work and now that I have time to spend I am too weak to play with my children, isn't that something"? He then said,"I wish I knew I would have spent more time".
This broke my mother's heart as well as ours and now there is no time as he is in a coma and his 3 children under the age of 11 will lose there wonderful father and a wife will lose a kind loving husband.
I guess the lesson for me was learning to live in the moment! I am so guilty of living for what's to come and so busy sometimes that my days fly by and I took no time to really look at the day, my family or the beauty that surrounds me.  I am going to start to try to stop and appreciate, be more grateful and try to stop wanting more when I have all I need. It's going to be a challenge for sure but I am willing to give it a try as I have learned from a wonderful person that will be sadly missed, that time is of the essence.
Enjoy my little stream of consciousness as I have found images that make me smile and allow me to take in the moment, and I promise I will be back to my usual blog  posts by the end of the week.

529,600 minutes how do you measure a year in your life!


Love of English and Irish countryside.

My favorite flower ever the hydrangea.

Yes, any type of bird makes me smile.

I am happy when I paint.

I love to dance and although my kids I am too old and silly I sneak in a few moves now and then.

Lake Placid love.


Marcy



Remy


Kieran


Dakota


My 18 year old actually wanted to spend Spring break with us in London, that you must relish!

A difficult task to get all three gals together for a photo, I will force them to do this more often!


Bermuda love- our 20th anniversary spent with our children!

Again a feat to have them pose in Bermuda.

One of my favorite images of my daughter 2 years before the mighty towers were gone.


My favorite goofy photo of all of us.. this one they will not be happy that I posted!

My Parents.



A very wise quote from my daughter Brooke's favorite play- Wicked!
Thank you for letting me share a moment.

Credits:  Rent,Pinterest, swans & paint, dancer, Wicked

25 comments:

  1. Karolyn, I am so sorry for the sadness, suffering, and loss. My heart breaks for your friend and his family. I think living in the moment is a challenge each of us must take on every day. Time goes so fast. Thanks for the reminder, and I love seeing all these beautiful things about your life. Your family is just gorgeous. Hope you enjoy every minute today. XOXO

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    1. Thank you so much, I try not to make the blog about my family but it seemed the right thing to do this week. Wishing you and your family wellness and happiness as you enjoy each moment.

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  2. Have lost too many friends. I have learned to pray for what I want but always end with praying for G*d's will. Still don't understand, but at least I know, and am happy, not to be in charge.

    Best to you/yours, and, G*d's will.

    Garden & Be Well, XO Tara

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    1. Thank you Tara, I hope you are right and he has a good plan for us!

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  3. Sending prayers for you and your friend and his family. Such beautiful images and an important lesson. XO

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  4. so sorry to hear about your loss. we are never too young to think about the hereafter and how we may live more fully without regret. for me personally, i am reallllllly looking forward to going home with my maker. and in the mean time, i really want to make the days count by not wasting time on pride or even achievement. i think when you love people really well, you will leave big chunks of yourself behind on the earth. what a wonderful celebration of gratitude here in this post.

    michele

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    1. Thank you Michelle I always love your words of wisdom! Xo

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  5. Karolyn what a beautiful post with such an inspiring message. So sorry for your friend and his family. What sadness. Love all the pics of your gorgeous family! Y'all could pose for a magazine! I will keep your friend and his family in my prayers.

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    1. Thank you Katie I know you live in the moment just by the wonderful posts if your family, and as usual are are too kind!xo K

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  6. Wonderful thoughts, I must adhere to them more often!

    Eileen

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  7. Gods Blessings to your friend and his family. I think your passion and love of life shines through in your blog. Thank you for sharing.

    Maura

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  8. Dear Karolyn, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. It is very sad to lose a person so young in life.You have inspired me though with all of your thoughts expressed here.

    xoxo
    Karena
    The Arts by Karena

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    1. I am glad I inspired you and thank you for always such lovely comments.

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  9. Oh my gosh Karolyn...I am really truly sorry to hear about this. How heartbreaking. He sounds like a very special person. I always wonder why these things happen to such good people. I try to stay strong and remember that God has these things happen with a purpose. Sometimes its so hard to see it in the here and now. It sounds like his purpose is to help others realize that time really IS precious and not to waste a single minute. I hope his days here will be spent surrounded by those he loves and that he will be in peace. Sending you a hug and will keep you all in my prayers.

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    1. Thank you Tina, Life is fleeting and I think I realize that now and I have some learning to do for sure!

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  10. I'm so sorry to hear about your friend Karolyn. Such a beautiful post with a reminder that I needed to hear.

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  11. Karolyn - I'm very sorry to hear about your friend. Sending prayers and my best to you all. Thanks for sharing your poignant words and beautiful family. Take care, L

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    1. Thank you Loi, I think we do what we do because we appreciate beauty and life now we just have to learn how to take time to actually enjoy it!

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  12. I'm so sorry to hear about your friend and your thoughtful post reminds us all to enjoy and appreciate every day. Lovely photos of your family.

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  13. Karolyn,
    I'm so glad I didn't miss this. My internet has been down with our move.. so many inconveniences at the moment.

    Life is so precious and as we get older and witness this kind of sadness, it changes us. It IS tough to understand why these things happen, particularly to people that are young. Having lost my father less than a year ago, this conversation is so fresh and painful. There's really nothing to do except LIVE and LOVE the moment. Things can change quickly. Best to you and your friends. I am sorry and will keep you in my prayers. xxleslie

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  14. Karolyn, I am so sorry. This must be such a difficult time for you and your family. I agree with you about learning to live in the moment more. I am definitely guilty of not doing that enough! I loved seeing your beautiful family - pets included! Thanks for sharing such a personal post. Take care, Shelley

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  15. STUNNING photos :)and I LOVE those cute animals haha I have two cats myself and they ROCK the place while im trying to blog

    Check out my new post...7 divine outdoor styles you cant miss :)

    Have a fab week dear

    LOVE Maria at inredningsvis - inredning it's, Swedish for decor :)

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