From time to time I have these moments where I realize how I take things for granted sometimes. It’s easy to do so, because to me they are ‘ normal’. But what is normal? The fact that I get to spend New Year’s day with my healthy parents, who love me, and are always there for me? That I get to bake our traditional ‘ spekkedikken’ with my sweet brother, his partner and very smart daughter? That my sister will be there with her hilarious partner and two kids that crack me up and make my heart melt at the same time? Yes, for me that’s normal, but I’m one of the lucky ones…..
A few weeks ago I was in Amsterdam with my best friend. We met up with her boyfriend at a restaurant where we met a very interesting man. He was so kindhearted and welcoming to us. He did not know us at all, but he shared his kitchen, his wine and most importantly his life story. It wasn’t like he was yelling it off of the roofs. His two friends that were at the table did not even know the severity of their own friend’s situation. It’s just that I always tend to ask a lot of questions and it seemed as though he felt that he was in a safe environment to share his story.
While he was sharing more and more, my throat felt as if someone was squeezing it tight and I had to keep myself from crying for him and his poor wife. What struck me most was his positive energy and how he could tell the story the way he did, having all the feelings he has and yet still remaining positive and thankful for all the gifts he received in life.
At a certain point another friend at the table said that he knew how to read palms and of course we were curious. He read my best friend’s palm and was talking about luck combined with gambling and making money. So when he said that I was very lucky my mind immediately went there. I laughed my loud laugh and told him that I was furthest from lucky. I hardly ever gamble, and when I do I lose. His friend with the touching story heard me say this and immediately corrected me. “ Don’t ever say you’re not lucky!” I realized straight away what he meant and I said “ No, you’re absolutely right, I am not lucky when it comes to gambling, but I’ve been so blessed and lucky in life, I have a healthy loving family I get to travel the world just because I can….No gambling money could ever top that!”
I wish you all a lot of luck in 2016!! May you cherish those moments where you feel how much you ‘have.’
