GJ's Wedding
A Warm Hello,
My brother was married this past weekend. It was a beautifully brisk and sunny New England fall day when wedding vows were exchanged. We (family and friends) often joked my brother would never marry as he waited until he was 43 years old. But it was to be that he would marry, and on his own timeline. I wish him and his bride a lifetime of happiness!
More than a few things struck me this past weekend.
1. How quickly time marches on.
- It has been 28 years since I moved out of my childhood home and left for college. My brother was just finishing his high school freshman year. I moved far away from home after college, so my brother and I have been apart a great deal longer than we were together. I did not know his best man or many of the other important people in his life. That was hard and an “A-Ha” moment.
- My grandmother (who thankfully I got an opportunity to visit) is 94 years old.
- My father has only 2 of his 6 other brothers and sisters still living (gratefully I got to see them this past weekend.)
- It has been 5 1/2 years since my husband Rory passed away and my son is now 8 1/2.
2. How important it is to decide to “Carpe Diem” (Seize the Day) or to wait for another time or the right time.
We each know from losing our husbands that we can have the “I wish I had’s” or “I wish I could say or do’s”. Death is such a finality. We cannot go back and change the past, but we can do some soul searching and make the conscious choices now about our present lives and work that make the most sense to us. We can choose what makes the most sense to us . (For example, my brother choosing to wait until his 40’s to marry and being very very happy.) Or, carpe diem (siezing the day) to recognize a change and action that is important to take now.
An “A’Ha” for me is to Carpe Diem (seize the day) with building a stronger relationship with my brother. Although we love one another, time is marching on and I do not wish to become strangers.
Our lives are full of “A-Ha” moments.
Paying attention to these moments and what they mean to us personally, can help self guide us on the path for potential change.
Coach Corner:
What are some of your recent “A-Ha” moments?
What do they mean to you?
Knowing that time is marching on, is there something or someone in which you want to “seize the day”?
Here’s to You.
Warmly,
Colleen.
If interested in widow support, visit www.CoachingForWidows.com or call 941-739-4853
Colleen Phillips, CPCC, ACC, CPBA
GJ's Wedding
October 23rd, 2009 at 9:22 am
I recently attended my Mom’s funeral and heard statements like, “This is the last time we’ll be together as a family”, “You’ll never come here again, now that Mom is gone”. I was saddened by these statements and challenged to “seize the day” and not let them become self-fulfilling prophecies. Instead, I’ve found a deeper connection with my three brothers and am making plans to ensure we are together for the holidays and celebrating together for years to come.
Thanks Colleen for reminding us to “Carpe Diem”