Since moving to Columbia, I've been living with an 80-year-old widow named Mary; I'm moving into my own apartment at the end of the month. My brother predicted that Mary and I would become good friends and that I'd have a terrible time leaving her. He was right. I have come to love her very much, and I WILL have a hard time leaving in a few weeks.
I've learned a lot from Mary--about cooking and cleaning and taking care of plants. She feeds some of her plants banana peels and some of them egg shells. Evidently, the nutrients from the peels and shells get into the soil and help the plants grow. I've listened to a lot of wonderful stories, learned a lot of history, and been challenged to expand my limited view of life in many ways. But I think the thing that'll stick with me the most is a comment that she made this morning.
As usual, if she's up and moving when I leave for work, I told her to have a good day. Not as usual, though, was her response. Instead of saying, "I'll try," or "You too." She said:
"Every day is a good day. It's just that some are better than others."
Mary has been in the hospital three times in the last three months. She's seen her life savings disappear with the downturned economy. She was the primary care-taker of both her husband and her brother before they each died slow, painful deaths. There are days when she barely has the energy to get out bed, when her old body rebels in pain and weariness. Yet. To her, every day is a good day. It's just that some are better than others.
What a beautiful outlook on life.
What a humbling way to celebrate the life that God has created.
What a beautiful message to proclaim to the masses...
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Has anyone shared a bit of wisdom with you lately?
If so, what was it? And how has it affected your life?
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