One Day at a Time

 Photo by Pat Fagerland

It’s sort of like trying to have your cake and eat it too, this living one-day-at-a-time business.  That’s the way we are doing our lives these days, or at least that’s what I tell those who ask.  We try to do whatever becomes the most important – with getting Nyel medical attention at the top of the list – every day of the week.  But, of course, “life goes on” as they say.

So, we are learning to say “if ” a lot.  If we can be there.  If we are in town.  If we are able.  It’s not one bit satisfactory but that’s just the way it is.  (We say that a lot, too.)  And the alternative seems pretty ridiculous.  Stay inside, closed in and shuttered?  Not our style – certainly not mine.

Interestingly, I find myself thinking about the AA serenity prayer:

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
Courage to change the things I can,
And wisdom to know the difference.

Photo by Pat Fagerland

It says a lot about how Nyel and I are living these days.  About how we should all live all the time, no doubt. But, it doesn’t talk about how you make plans, how you cancel meetings and appointments, how you can’t always hold up your end of things.  Perhaps that’s where serenity comes in… but that isn’t quite it.  After all, what is a life without plans?  Nothing filled in on the calendar means no life at all as I see it.

Not that we don’t have role models for this one-day-at-a-time-thing among our family and friends.  We do!  And, I think the truth of it is that each person must find the balancing that act works for them.  For sure, we are still experimenting.  So far, so good – at least I think so.  Our loved ones and friends are amazingly supportive and understanding. And resilient!  We have yet to feel abandoned by anyone because we can’t reciprocate properly.  Now, if we can just learn to cut ourselves some slack…

2 Responses to “One Day at a Time”

  1. Ruth maloney says:

    You can do this. Just keep it simple and enjoy every moment. The unexpected opens new opportunities. You are doing it.

  2. Pam says:

    Thanks for this post, Sydney. We are walking this walk now, too; and it’s not easy. And thanks to Ruth Maloney for her supportive words.
    The salmon dinner–what a beautiful meal prepared with love and kindness. Heart healthy in every way!

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