The Loveliness of Life

On this Friday Night Thought Tale Hour at the Henderson's, we bring the week to a close with thoughts of a great American voice of the airwaves who lost a valiant battle to cancer a week ago today.  Don Wade and his wonderful wife Roma woke us up the majority of mornings for the past two decades on WLS-AM radio. Chris and I appreciated their union and the diversity of even those shared beliefs they had together.  It was our centralized theme when we were getting ready for the day, whether together or apart by many miles as we listened online.  Last year, as we were preparing for Michaela and Phil's wedding, he and Roma traveled to New York for their daughter's wedding.  On the way back, he had a seizure, and that is when the cancer was discovered.  He and Roma did not return to the airwaves.  Instead, they spent the balance of what would be the final days of Don's life enjoying the best of the lovely life they shared.  How that decision is to be admired, but also, how wonderful that he was able to leave this earth in such a completed state.  

Is this possible for all?

I've been thinking about this question all week, and I don't believe it was a coincidence that it was part of a discussion I had with my friend today at work.  She and I were discussing the busyness of the work week and the whirlwind of the weekends, and she said, "You know, I've been thinking about how I hope I am not so wrapped up in busy-work and chores that I am missing the true loveliness of life.  I've been asking myself, 'if I die today, is this how I want to be living my life?'".  Her words struck me - 'The true loveliness of life'.  Don Wade made a dramatic change to be sure he would not miss that loveliness, when he found his days were numbered. 

But are not all of our days numbered?

When we are hit squarely with a mortality lesson, we find ourselves remembering this more often.  But beyond the sobering thought of impending death, I also think that the loveliness of life is a morsel we can overlook so easily.  Truly, your life may be filled with struggle right now, or a heavy burden that you are finding hard to bear.  But, if you stop and just breathe for a moment, I am certain you can find something lovely in your life.  Perhaps it's the person, near or far who adores and needs you, or the pet at your feet, or the flower growing in the crack of the cement. Perhaps your loveliness is unseen.  The confidence of your home or family or the work you are involved in.  But if you are reading this and still not feeling it, then I challenge you to figure out what needs to change  and have the courage to change it so that you can focus on the loveliness of life.  

Open your heart, mind or soul to healing.  

Look for that new opportunity.  

Close the door to a hurtful relationship. 

Allow forgiveness.

I if die today, I am living my life just the way I want to be living it. Is there more I want  to add and do?  Well of course, that's what makes life exciting.  But I am enjoying a lovely life, and I am grateful to all of you who help make it so.
So here's to the 'true loveliness of life', and all those who inspire us to never forget it's importance.  CHEERS FRIENDS!

Recipe for "A Lovely Life" cocktail:

1/3 Grey Goose® vodka
1/3 Malibu® coconut rum
1/3 peach schnapps
splash of cranberry juice
splash of pineapple juice

Mix in glass over ice. Garnish with Star Fruit (because it's so lovely)  and Mint.