Monday, October 26, 2015

How the dying triumphed

Trish, in Kansas, noted that she'd rather hear about the triumphs of the dying than their regrets. This made me wonder if hospice workers actually ask that question: what do you regret about your life?
And is there any point in asking such a question except to give the rest of us a heads-up.

How did you triumph in life? I like that question.

I made it through junior high.
I always had friends.
I got every job I applied for.
I liked participating in sports.
I had some astonishing creative moments.
I had some astonishing teaching moments.
I had some astonishingly inappropriate moments.
I raised four sons who grew up to be really nice guys.  They make me laugh my head off.
My husband was my best friend.
I perked up my surroundings.
I read lots of books. I read poetry!
Sometimes I was super organized!
I was good at doing nothing.
I made people laugh till snot ran out of their noses.
I yelled at God.
My grandchildren are all brilliant.
I dined at fine restaurants.
I had a beach house.
Tom and I did what we wanted. We did it.  We did what we wanted.
I sang loud.
I did nothing like my parents. And I loved my parents.
I laughed like a horse.
I was loyal as a dog.
It wasn't easy; I was often scared out of my britches, but I did it.
The rest of it no longer matters.




8 comments:

  1. Love it. I think I'm having a mid-life crisis, so it's nice to read about your triumphs and know that I'll make it. I hope.

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  2. I love this. What a great idea from Trish. Thanks.

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  3. Such a great idea! You know what, I'm inspired now to evaluate at each day's end and say, "how did I triumph today?" So good! :)

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  5. This is the best list I have ever read. It doesn't get any better than this, girl! What a journey!

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  6. This is wonderful. Especially "We did what we wanted. We really did it." THAT is a triumph.

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  7. Oosh. I had better get on this.
    Sadly, and oddly, we here are observing five unrelated, unanticipated deaths in the past six days. I wonder if any of the deceased had made "Triumph"or even "Okie-dokie" lists? I hope they had no "regrets' List on their mind.

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