Brooke Cagle – Unsplash
When I died twice the night of February 11, 2025, the good people who installed a pacemaker also seem to have installed a different OUTLOOK on life.
I got a booster when our son came and helped us, convincing us to move to Thailand and retire where we could be close to him. My husband’s stroke 2 weeks after we arrived was the final piece to my personal life’s puzzle and I am forever changed.
I.L. Williams’ quote above says it all. What USED to be unremarkable is now everything, seen through a grateful new lens.
- I wake up grateful to wake up – methodically rising at 4:30 to get ready for our daily session at the gym. My ‘gym buddy’ encourages me to show up and do what will improve my balance that was compromised in my hospital stay, plus my stamina. My determination to start each day with some discipline and routine sets the tone for the rest of my day.
- This morning was nice, with the pollution index app showing ‘good’ quality air, so I turned off my air filters and opened my windows to enjoy the light and air free flowing into my condo (MY first place by myself EVER.) My son has helped me furnish it with sturdy pieces for my computer area, dining area, TV stand, puzzle table, bedroom stuff, and good chairs.
- The problems my condo had (leaky windows, a shower head that trickled and leaked, a door that stuck – causing me problems getting in and out for a while, among others) have been fixed now. There are remaining issues, but they can wait forever if need be. I LOVE my place!
- My husband is in a good, well run and CARING nursing home. His health issues are grim, but he is calm and comfortable, glad when my son and I visit. I will be forever grateful regarding the timing of our move here -crucial to all the rest. We would have been in dire straits if Harvey’s issues had happened at our old home in the States.
- My health is improving since I finally got the rest of the lard I had been caring around for years OFF. I’ve lost a total of about 95 pounds and about 90 some inches now, and am at a good weight for my height (though I’m shrinking). I am concentrating on eating good food with monitored portions and exercising twice a day (yoga stretches, water bottle exercises, and going down the stairs – and up a little now – plus taking some good supplements and drinking lots more water.
- I have the freedom to arrange most of my days (when we don’t have appointments or are going to visit my husband) to my liking, cramming each one with as many fun things as I have time and energy to do. That freedom increases the calm I feel. I don’t feel rushed. I can spend as much or as little time on things as I would like. How wonderful is that!!
- A short list of my ‘joy’ creators are – writing posts for this blog as first and foremost. I have met many beautiful people through it and answering comments is a high point of my day. I spend a lot of time researching to find things I think are wonderful to share. It is a total joy. Trying to teach myself to draw and then painting the sketches brings me concentration, challenge, and a sense of purpose. I love choosing things to sketch, or making them up, doing the best I can at the time to bring them to paper, doing the base painting at home and then taking my supplies to the cafe to add the details and start new sketches while enjoying a latte. Sometimes I get my favorite spot by the front window, but it’s a joy wherever I’m sitting. Working on a jigsaw puzzle and leaving it out so I can work on it whenever the mood strikes. Practicing trying to relearn and play a used guitar and sing with it eventually is my newest challenge. I used to do this to help make money for my college. Now that’s all gone (it’s been at LEAST 50 years) but I’m enjoying the trying. Reading good books, listening to music, sharing meals with my son.
- New things-listening to birds sing on a regular basis. Finding a cute little gecko sharing my condo with me. Taking a picture of a squirrel in a tree outside my window. Taking pictures of two different lizards that live somewhere around the cafe. Listening to the gazillion frogs that are singing to us as we go to the gym. Gathering fallen flowers and leaves that I’ve never seen before. The joy of watching the Thai people and the tourists walk past the cafe going about their business. Discovering how many hard working Thai people make their living in three-wheeled carts filled to the gills with products or services performed right in the street. Seeing the beautiful women and their sense of style. Goggling at the traffic that continues to amaze me.
- New challenges – trying to learn more Thai phrases and customs. Learning about the money and making simple transactions. Taking short walks in my neighborhood – going around the block so I don’t have to cross the street – which is a master course in not getting hit or causing anyone problems.
- New joys – meeting more and more Thai people who have to be some of the kindest people on the planet.
These “little” things encompass my life now and cause the happiness to simply bubble up inside me and spill over. I’m so grateful for a 2nd chance at life to fully live each day, totally aware of how lucky I am, how much I have now, and a purpose to enjoy every moment.
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“Life is just a lot of everyday adventures.”
― Carol Ryrie Brink, Caddie Woodlawn
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