On Monday morning a dear friend collapsed at work and was admitted to hospital, not being able to walk. That evening she was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome. GBS is a disorder in which the body’s immune system attacks the nervous system, leading to weakness in your extremities, spreading quickly, eventually resulting in paralyzes of your whole body.
As of this morning she still hasn’t gained full feeling of her lower legs and she has to rely on help to be able to move in her bed. She is still in bed and fighting her illness with a whole lot of support from a million people. I know she’ll pull through.
And to think she was still doing everyday mommy things at the beginning of the week.
Life can change instantaneously.
In one fleeting moment things we consider to be fix and firm can turn brittle and bizarre. It’s there now, gone a second later. I’m still left with an overwhelming feeling of shock and despair, knowing how difficult this must be for her, a person who never sits down. Who never stops being busy.
And I’m left with the question: How many of us truly appreciate this gift called life?
I was reminded of how important it is to BE ALIVE. Not just live but attacking life with vigor and passion. Seizing the frigging day. Taking life by the short and curlies and squeezing every single ounce of joy and happiness from it.
Stop complaining about the weather, get an umbrella and dance in the rain. Stop complaining about the long working day, make friends with your co-workers. Stop complaining about the barista who doesn’t smile or the old lady who drives too slow. Stop fretting about the neighbours new car or the price of bread. There are bigger things happening around you.
Go home and tell your Wife how much you love her. Hug your kids. Love them with everything you have. Phone your friends. Say hi. Make amends. Forgive. Forget. Love. Smile. Have fun. JUST BE ALIVE!
Make a memory of every day because it might be the last one you have.
Oh dear, hope your friend makes a quick recovery, that’s awful 😦 I agree with you completely, it’s easy to forget but we are very lucky if we have our health and family. If I’m feeling low I list everything that I’m grateful for, it’s good to take stock and appreciate what you have 🙂 Best wishes to you and your friend x
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Thank you, and I couldn’t agree more. Take stock and rejoice, don’t mope.
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My own mortality has never been clearer or more at the forefront of my mind since my father-in-law passed away two months ago. One day they’re here talking and laughing and the next day they’re gone, never to be seen or heard again. Seize the friggin’ day!
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I’m so sorry to hear about your father-in-law. Things just happen so suddenly…
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Mooi geskryf!Ek hoop jou vriendin herstel gou…deesdae gebeur dit darem.’n Vriend van ons het dit ook gehad en volkome herstel.Gryp die dag….
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Dankie! Ons glo sy sal ook volkome genees. Dis net die proses wat frustrerend is vir haar…
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Ja ongelukkig neem dit lank en dis baie ongemaklik.
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Sadly, it often takes a life altering reminder for us to pay attention to the gift that is each day. I am so sorry to hear of your friends illness. Wishing her a full recovery in the coming days. Hugs, L
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Thank you Lynn. We’re all praying for her.
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Wishing your friend well, with plenty of time to enjoy the gift of life.
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Thank you.
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That’s really scary! Things do happen without warning; so sorry for your colleague 😦 Wishing her a speedy recovery.
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Thank you.
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Oof, that’s a tough blow. I hope she continues to recover. I have an autoimmune disease that lays me low, in crazy pain, all the time, often unexpectedly. I never know when I’ll be bed ridden or knocked out on pain killers, so I have to make the most of what time I have.
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Wow, I’m so sorry to hear that…
It only goes to show we need to talk to the people around us, if only to gain some perspective about our own problems.
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Exactly. Very well said! I hope those millions will be near here later when she needs it.
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I’m sure they will! Thank you.
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I’m so sorry about your friend, it’s terribly difficult to watch people we love struggle. This post is an excellent reminder to really Be. It’s far too easy to let life pass by while we keep busy busy busy.
I always enjoy visiting your blog and have nominated you for the Blogger Recognition award. Details are here: https://riddlefromthemiddle.com/2017/04/13/rftm-sunshine-on-an-april-morning/
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Thanks Laura, I’m popping over right away. I love getting stuff…
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Terrible disease, slow recovery, and life changing stuff.
Might go out and buy those shoes I have been looking at…
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