Thinking of you, Den:
"Life is not always what one wants it to be, but to make the best of it as it is, is the only way of being happy."
- JENNIE JEROME CHURCHILL
""We convince ourselves that life will be better after we get married, have a baby, then another. Then we are frustrated that the kids aren't old enough and we'll be more content when they are. After that we're frustrated that we have teenagers to deal with. We will certainly be happy when they are out of that stage. We tell ourselves that our life will be complete when our spouse gets his or her act together, when we get a nicer car, are able to go on a nice vacation, when we retire.
The truth is, there's no better time to be happy than right now.
If not now ... when? Your life will always be filled with challenges. It's best to admit this to yourself and decide to be happy anyway.
One of my favorite quotes comes from Alfred D Souza ...
"For a long time it had seemed to me that life was about to begin.
But there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be gotten through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, a debt to be paid. Then life would begin. At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life."
This perspective has helped me to see that there is no way to happiness. Happiness is the way. So, treasure every moment that you have. And treasure it more because you shared it with someone special, special enough to spend your time ... and remember that time waits for no one ...
So stop waiting until you finish school ... until you go back to school ... until you lose ten pounds ... until you gain ten pounds ... until you have kids ... until your kids leave the house ... until you start work ... until you retire ... until you get married ... until you get divorced ... until Friday night ... until Sunday morning ... until you get a new car or home ... until your car or home is paid off ... until spring, until summer ... until fall ... until winter ... until you are off welfare ... until the first or fifteenth ... until your song comes on ... until you've had a drink ... until you've sobered up ... until you die ... until you are born again to decide that there is no better time than right now to be happy ...
Happiness is a journey ... not a destination!!""
Author:
Crystal Boyd
My sentiments exactly.
nikki
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6 comments:
I cannot tell you how much I needed to hear that! For the longest time, I've felt stuck...And now there are some huge changes happening in my life -moving, new job, and now, new car...So many people have told me that when I had my accident, I really had my "Guardian Angel(s)" watching over me b/c things could have gone SO much worse...I know that God and my Angels were with me that day, and I am so V. v. thankful.
Anyway, w/ all these big changes happening, this would be a time when I'd usually be calling Dennis a LOT, so it's beem really hard not being able to hear his voice and his laugh again...
Just, thanks for the reminder, Nikki. I know he's really with us everywhere and at all times now...I just can't wait to be able to hug him again.
Anyway, thanks again, sweetie. It was and will continue to be a good shot in the arm for me.
All my love, prayers, and friendship,
jenny
p.s. please excuse my spelling errors as I am still typing w/ one hand (Thankfully, I just happened to catch mt interesting spelling of "shot"...o being right next to i and all...)
Nikki,
Thanks so much for keeping Dennis' blog going. I read it every chance I get.
I miss my dear friend and I think of him often. I find that even after almost 5 months I am still unable to fight back my tears when I think about him. I know he is in a better place. My feelings are selfish. I wish he were still here. I wish he was at my Fantasy Football draft party last weekend like he was last year. Not many friends would have flown from Knoxville to Florida for Fantasy Football. But that was Dennis. That's the kind of friend he was. It was not the same without him there. He is the only person I knew who shared my passion for football and Da Bears. I enjoyed are talks about sports. I always felt that it was a welcomed change for him. A chance for him to talk about something besides his cancer. I miss those talks. I miss my friend. I am very thankful, though, that I knew Dennis since childhood. I got to share many expeiences and laughs with him. He was always a thoughtful, giving person, even back when we were kids.
Thanks for your recent Blog entry, Nikki. I, too needed it this week. My oldest boy, Kyle, just started kindergarten last week, and all I could think about was, where did the time go. How did he grow up so fast. I have always thought of myself as an involved Father. My wife, Kim, and I share all the responsibilities of raising our boys. Yet it is still so easy to get caught up in the trap of the daily grind, that you lose sight of how important your family and friends are. Dennis, through his love for his family and friends, was a wonderful example of how important our relationships with the people we love are to the human spirit.
Dear Den,
I keep driving by old farm houses, and,...well, I just really miss you. I'm just so joyful that you are home and healthy and beautiful.
Jenny, Hope you're doing better... How's the hand? Take care and good luck in the new abode! Glad everything finally came together for you there.
I know Dennis continues to watch over us... and will until we meet again.
Love and Hugs, Nikki
Rob, Thank-you for your memories of Dennis... he was a wonderful friend and brother. Dennis would talk to me about work, his home, his travels... I would talk to him about my boys - I really miss our conversations. My older boys are enterring second grade, believe it or not. CRAZY! It seems like only yesterday that I was putting them on the bus for the first time... That was a very hard day.
Dennis' struggles remind us how prescious life is, and how quickly it could end. Savor every minute with your kids, family, and friends - it makes me want to hold my boys tight and not let them go! Not possible, I know, but the feeling is there...
Our mom always used to tell us when we were kids, "You're going to love each other when you grow up!", it almost seemed like a threat!! It was so true, though. You were right mom, we actually did grow up to love one another - imagine that! With that said, my love and prayers go out to my brothers and their wonderful wives and children, to my mom, my aunt, my grandpa, and to all of the wonderful people who Dennis called "Friend".
God's Blessings, Love Nikki
I am sorry for your loss. I too lost my nephew Dennis Rich and found this blog by accident. I was looking for his site when I came upon this one. We lost our Dennis almost a year ago
. Remember the good times and he'll always be with you.
drichhungryforlife@blogspot.com
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