The sadness of being

John Paul II memorial, St. Anne's Hill

When I was in Poland two weeks ago, my friend showed me some pretty interesting places. Her Grandma lives in Silesia and my friend visits her a couple of times every year. It was my first time in Poland and the only negative thing about this trip was, that I don't speak any Polish. Luckily my friend's Grandma spoke some German and her husband some English. I enjoyed my stay there, and I met lots of nice and friendly people.

One day we went to St. Anne's Hill. its chapel is an important destination for Roman Catholic pilgrimage. I took some pictures of this amazing place and also the John Paul II memorial they built to remember his visit in the 1980s. 

Besides all these good impressions, there was one thing that keeps me thinking. My friend showed me her Grandma's neighborhood and where the kids lived she used to play with. We went to the cemetery and she showed me the grave of one of her friends. He wanted to save someone from drowning, wanted to rescue the kid in a nearby lake. The kid survived but my friend's friend died, he drowned. Her best girl friend died in a car accident. Her mother was with her in that car, she survived but will never fully recover from this and what happened to her daughter. Both friends of my friend were only about 18 years when they passed away.

St. Anne's Hill chapel

Too often I don't think about how soon life can be over. I read an article about a girl who died because she was texting while driving. It only needs one second of carelessness, not paying attention what's happening. A crash. People can be injured or even die. More and more often I hear about persons who use their phones while driving. No matter if they "just" want to call someone, write a text or whatever. They underestimate the danger, not only the one they put themselves in, but also other people. You can easily lose control.
Imagine you are driving and then, in the blink of an eye, you see lights coming closer and there is no way for you to avoid a crash. It's not your fault, but the other one's did something on his phone instead of paying attention to the street.

Car accidents happen way too often, and many of them can be prevented. Why do some guys think it's cool to text and drive? Is it necessary to take life for granted and to not think of the risks? Or maybe to think that nothing will happen because nothing happened all the times before? Misbelief.

I think a lot about life and what really matters. I also go often to my Grandpa and my Grandma's graves, just because I want to "see" them. And I think of my time with them, how much we laughed and how much fun we had. Then I think of how many years have passed since then, and that it doesn't seem to be this long. It was like they were just here, and then they were gone. Your eyes can't see them anymore but anyway I can feel that they are still here with me. And when it comes to my Grandma, I'm happy I had these 12 years with her, because the doctors said she will only live a few months more after her cancer diagnosis. She lived more than 10 years longer. So at least we had that time together.

Life is unique, it's special. And once it's gone, well you can't buy a new one or fix everything. It's not like a car or something. Life is precious. And I realized too often how soon it can be over. But it's not important how many years you lived as long as you actually lived. You can only do that when you love, when you embrace and enjoy your life. Be yourself, leave your own footsteps in the sand of life. The people who only follow someone's traces never dared to be themselves.

No money can buy what really matters in life. You're born naked, you enter this world having nothing, and you can't take anything with you when you have to go. But while living, many become greedy, they want more and more. More money, more wealth, more luxury. Sure it's better to have a bit more than a bit less, but having too much can destroy people. They start thinking more and more about making more and more $$, and forgetting about the rest. Friends and family are the ones who won't forget you, who love you for who you are. That's what money can't do. And only true love and someone who really cares for you, makes you happy and alive. Don't take that for granted!

Happy Mother's Day

She is the first woman in your life and the most important. She raised you, took care of you, she comforted you when you were sad. She encouraged you when something didn't work the first time. You always knew that you can talk to her about everything - your mother. Today is her day, Mother's day. It's the day to say thank you. Thank you Mom, for everything you've done and still do, for all your infinite love.

pic by D. Sharon Pruitt 

My Mom gave up her job back then to raise my brother and me. She was always there for us and still is. She told me stories, read from lots of children books, she played with me, taught me to cook. She taught me about life, to be who I am. No matter how tough times were, she supported me, encouraged me not to give up, pursue my dreams. I learned that not every mistake is bad, but that every mistake I make is my teacher, so I learn, it lets me grow and makes me stronger. I learned that some things that look bad at first, don't have to be that bad. Everything has two sides. So many things are not only black or white, yes or no.

I am happy that I have such a wonderful Mom. I know she is still there for me all the time. I can talk to her about everything, she will listen and she does care. I can't imagine to not have her in my life. When I went to elementary school, I had a school mate who lost his Mom at the age of 8. It's hard to lose someone you love, someone so close, to lose a parent, but I guess it's even harder for such a young kid. It can happen in the blink of an eye, so since then I appreciate even more that I still have both parents, my Mom and my Dad, who both love and support me and are there for me all the time. 

So today I say "Thank you Mom, I would not be who I am now without you. I am happy to have you, you are wonderful and simply the best."

Today my whole family will meet and we're gonna have dinner all together. These times are rare, and I love these family times. These are the best times, I love to chat with them, to see them laugh, to simply have a good time.

some little gifts to say Thank you Mom
pic by D. Sharon Pruitt

How do you celebrate Mother's Day? How do you say thank you to your Mom?