Tuesday, April 02, 2013

Finding A Moment of Peace and Joy

The last couple of months have been one thing after another, between sickness, injury, a wedding, birthdays, company, work and just every day life.  The last couple of weeks have been particularly intense as my dog, Riley, struggles with his health.  It was touch and go there for awhile, and a couple of times I was sure he wouldn't be coming home with me when I took him to the vet. It's been a roller coaster ride, and I have to tell you, I am spent.  There are moments when I am not sure which way is up and which is down.  Right now I am cautiously optimistic.  Riley is beginning to show signs of getting better, and hopefully it will take. I just wish I could take away his pain when that darn spinal arthritis gives him so much trouble.

At times like this, I am reminded of how precious life is.  And how important it is to embrace what joy--and peace--we can find.

These are just a handful of moments I enjoyed most recently:

Sitting watching television with Riley on my lap and my cat Anya on my chest.  Sure, the laundry needed to be moved from the washer to the dryer, but who cared?  In that moment, we were all at peace.

Playing spaceship with my daughter: "Blast off!"  "Do you want some berries, Mommy?"  "I want some too!"  Not worrying about work or the dishes or anything else that needed to be done.

Lying in bed reading, uninterrupted for a half hour.

My husband letting me sneak off to take a nap and being joined by my purring cat, Parker.  

My coworker telling me not to rush and to spend a little extra time at lunch, knowing I was going to go home and check on Riley, even though we were busy. (I didn't take that extra time, but it's nice to know I could have.)

The young man at the grocery store who volunteered, unasked, to take my shopping cart after I'd unloaded the groceries into my car, buckled Mouse in her seat, and realized the cart rack was too far to go without having to take Mouse out of her carseat (which she'd fought me tooth and nail getting into). *Normally, I don't put Mouse in the car until after I've put the cart in the cart rack, but I was off my game that day.

What about you?  What moments of peace in your daily life stand out for you most recently?




© 2013, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

28 comments:

  1. THat is such a sweet photo! Thinking of Riley and hoping for a speedy recovery.

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    1. Lenore - Thanks on both counts! :-) Anya was quite the ham the day that photo was taken.

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  2. I'm glad you're finding some peace amid the chaos. I generally find some peace when I take my daily walk.

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  3. Loved that pic!
    Hope Riley gets well soon!

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    1. Melody - Thank you! I really like that picture too. :-)

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  4. Wendy, that is a lovely picture of you. I am so glad you are finding those moments, they are precious and exactly what we need to get through the day!! The housework is always there, but moments of peace with kids and/or animals - to treasure. Fingers crossed Riley is able to recover as much as he can now, and the pain recedes too.

    Thank you for sharing them with us,too :-)

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    1. Susan - Thank you. We really do have to treasure moments like these. It's easy to forget to stop and take time out when things are especially hectic.

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  5. You've a lot on your plate, but those acts of kindness are wonderful and it sounds like you've some good support there. Hope your dog's health stays okay and you can get some rest. It's true, the dishes, the washing, it can all wait. Love the photo, the affection from pets is worth its weight in gold.

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    1. Charlie - I'm grateful for the support I do have, most definitely. My husband is wonderful. And the animals are too. Except maybe this morning when Parker woke us up early mewing and picking at my blanket with his claws. ;-)

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  6. My daily peace is the shower, or reading on my elliptical. Normally all we do is run around and worry about things (at least I do) and it is important to stop and appreciate life's blessings. I'm saying a prayer for your doggy. They are a family member and are innocent little things that can't tell you what they are feeling. I hope he recovers quickly :)

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    1. Sandy - I used to feel that way about my shower. Now they seem so rushed. Hopefully one year in the near future I'll get back to enjoying a nice hot shower like I used to. :-) But yes, it is important to take time and appreciate the blessings we have in life. I'm trying to do that in some way, however small, each day.

      And thank you for your prayers. Riley has been my baby for almost 12 years now. He's very much a part of my family and that's part of what is making this so hard. He and I are not getting any younger . . .

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  7. Best wishes for Riley's recovery. I'm glad you're finding those moments of peace in the midst of it all. :)

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  8. I am sorry that Riley isn't feeling well, and I will be thinking of him and of you tonight when I pray. Animals are like our little children, and it hurts so when they are sick and injured. I hope that you have many more moments of peace and relaxation, and that everything gets much better for Riley very soon.

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    1. Heather - I appreciate it, thank you. I think of Riley as my first. :-) He may be a different species, but he's a big part of my family.

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  9. This is a lovely post and great reminder that we have to savor every moment and that there are always moments to cherish and appreciate. Thanks for the inspiration...

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    1. Kathleen - Ah, thanks, Kathleen! I know I need the reminder now and then. I know these are just little things, but they set my heart at peace and reminded me to stop and breathe.

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  10. Great post! I need to do this kind of thing more often. I hope Riley is fully recovered soon.

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    1. Steph - I need to remember to do this when I'm feeling down.

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  11. I hope Riley is 100% better very soon! Good for you for finding those lovely moments :)

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    1. Jennifer - Thanks! He is doing better. He's eating finally, and that was worrying me most.

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  12. I love that photo...animals can really bring such a sense of peace and joy to our lives. Hope that Riley is doing better. Beautiful post!

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    1. Staci - Yes, animals certainly can. I've got the best three furkids in the world. :-)

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  13. I really love that photo of you and Anya. It is just so sweet :)

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    1. Nicole - I like that photo too. :-) She was so playful that day.

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  14. Such a sweet pic (I know everyone's said it, but it's true!)

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    1. Stacy - Anya is such a loving cat--at least with me.

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