Today turned out to be an eye-opening one....completely unplanned and unexpected, but it sure has me counting my blessings.

This morning I took my Mama (in-law) to the doctor. She has had the same persistent cough that has had me down for a week, and my husband's turned into walking pneumonia. Hers has stayed way beyond its welcome, so off to the doctor we went.

I sat in the waiting room, waiting for her to be done, and people-watched a bit...three or four people came in - in wheelchairs, and patiently waited their turn. It somehow seemed unfair that they be sick, and I was well. I observed a man bring his wife in - she had had a stroke, and could communicate just barely - but oh, the tender attention he paid her, the care that he drew her near to sit right next to him, the gentle hands, and loving tone in his voice - I felt blessed to be in the presence of such love.

Later, Mama needed to go to get an x-ray to make sure whether she has pneumonia or not....another waiting room full of sad faces and troubled bodies in need of help. I felt out of place, an intruder. I also felt like I was taking way too much for granted - my life could take a turn in an instant.

Then, in the car, waiting for my dear husband to go and get the prescriptions for Mama, she called my name, and then said - 'if I get old and sick and can't take care of myself, I DON'T want you to have to take care of me. You put me in a nursing home - it would be too hard for you, and I don't want you to do that.' I listened and told her we'd cross that bridge if and when we had to - but to not worry about that now. Then she said to me 'when I'm in the nursing home, all I ask is that you come visit me.' It just broke my heart. For going to a nursing home was not what scared her.....it was the possibility of being left alone.

That's when I realized more than ever before how blessed I am to have this dear 85 year old lady as part of my family - to have her love me as much as she does, and I resolved right then to do a whole lot less complaining, and a whole lot more of treasuring each moment of my day and the people who make it so precious.