THURSDAY THOUGHTS - Little Things Are The Things That Matter Most

Last Friday, at the bank, a young mother came to my desk with her three week old baby and two other young sons. The oldest looked proud to be there helping his mother while the baby fussed from time to time. But, the middle boy was the one who caught my eye. His name was Matthew, just as my middle son's name is. He had that fine textured blond hair that was a bit messed up in the back, just like my Matt used to have. Safely pinned around his neck was an old and faded terry cloth dishtowel that her little Matt used as a Superman cape. It was obvious that he felt very distinguished and important.

I sat there watching this mother and her three sons, absolutely spellbound as feelings of the past washed over me. They felt like a pleasant summer rain that stuck around longer than expected. I was entrance by this entire scenario because some 32 years ago, that young mother was me... back in the days when it was a production just to leave the house. How busy I was back then! So busy that I didn't realize that these precious memories would grow so much sweeter over the years. I felt indescribably happy all over.

Richard Carlson, author of "Don't Sweat The Small Stuff With Your Families" states, "It's tempting to spend your life hoping it's going to be better later. Most of us look forward to promotions, special events, vacations, and highlights. And certainly these are wonderful things to anticipate. Yet, if we focus too much on these somewhat rare instances, we can miss out on the ordinary, yet incredibly special, events that happen on a regular basis - the beautiful smiles and laughter of children, the witnessing of simple acts of kindness, sharing a beautiful sunrise or sunset with someone you love, or witnessing the changing colors of trees in the fall. These are the things life and memories are made of.

"If you remind yourself to look for and appreciate the little things, your power of observation will be heightened. You'll begin to see "ordinary" experiences in a far more extraordinary manner. If you take a few moments to reflect on what truly matters in your life, I think you'll agree - in the end, it's the little things that matter most."

One of the ways that having cancer has blessed my life, is that it helped me to slow down and notice the many little things that color my life. I love our weekly Sunday dinners where we gather to eat, talk, laugh and interact with each other in a positive way; I love the Little Caesar's pizza my husband brings home to me every Friday night like clockwork; I love the weekly drives we take each Sunday after church where we have some of our most meaningful discussions; I love Ron's blue eyes, the way they look at me and knowing that we can enjoy "couch time" together after work every night with my feet in his lap.

I am grateful to cancer and my most perceptive husband (Ron is an artist) for helping me improve myself in this respect; for helping me to slow down and notice the magic in the little things around us every day. With practice I am beginning to see, as Carlson so aptly put it, "...ordinary experiences in a far more extraordinary manner," and I agree with him wholeheartedly that the little things are the things that matter most.

Kathy Christensen
Survivor
Member of Lifting Hearts