Yesterday I went to Cousin Izzy’s memorial service. She was 95 and she and my dad had been each other’s favorite cousin. One of the things said at the service by her niece, was something that Izzy had told her she learned from her own mother. That was my great Aunt Janie Palmer Abbott. Aunt Janie had said when you find that you are feeling sorry for yourself, you have two choices. You can do something to help someone else, or you can mop the kitchen floor. I need to do one or the other, because I am feeling sorry for myself that I didn’t see Cousin Izzy more often, that I didn’t give myself the gift of more of her company.
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When I was in college, I had a standing “visit” with my Grandpa every Tuesday after class. I wish now I had enjoyed it a little more. It was tough because he wasn’t the most upbeat person at that point in his life, but I don’t think I valued family enough back then.
I hope we’re all blessed with many more years together as extended family.
I very much enjoyed my visits with Izzy…..I wished she’d lived conveniently close enough to have had a standing Tuesday visit with her. Nathan, I think we have each had a little nudge in how to do things slightly differently in our lives in the future. And amen to taking opportunities to enjoy family and friends!