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Thursday, February 10, 2011

The Waiting Game

Have you ever thought about how much of our lives is spent on waiting? It can be a boring, uneventful time. It can be an exciting or happy time, or it can be a sad time. I don't like to look at waiting on anything as being boring or sad. If you just look at time at a different angle, waiting on it can be quite fun, challenging, kind and knowledgeable.
I spent some time yesterday waiting in a doctors office, I could have read, I brought a book and a magazine with me and the tables were filled with interesting reads. But instead, I chose to listen to my "waiting" neighbor sitting beside me. It's amazing how much you can learn from someone in just a few minutes, without even knowing their name you can understand the kind of person they are. Everyone has a story to tell, we just need someone to tell it to, someone that is willing to take a few minutes to just "listen". I usually sit and listen to peoples stories while waiting in a waiting room. I really enjoy hearing about other people and how their life has been while being here, after all we are only passing through, some believe.
I'm usually not a good listener unless I'm tied to a "waiting" room ;) My days are spent racing and hurrying about trying to get things done, to "live" life. I guess that's why I enjoy sitting still once in a while and just being there to listen. I once met a beautiful young lady, she was so angelic and thinking of her now brings tears to my eyes......we had been sitting and talking and waiting. She was called back to see the doctor and a little while later came out and sat beside me, she had just been diagnosed with cancer for the second time in her life. She was all alone and so very young, her family was living States away. I held her and we cried together, silently and dignified, in the "waiting" room filled with people. She needed someone and I'm thankful I was there. I got the opportunity to meet a very special person.
I also have special people and living creatures all around me on a daily basis, sometimes I just have to stop myself and take a look around to see and appreciate them. Not all of them are human, but I love and enjoy them just the same;)
"Waiting on a neighbor" ...he used to come out to see me when he'd hear me outside.....see that hole in the fence, well he's outgrown it now and his mommy and dad put a log up to it so he and his sister can't come back through or tear the fence any further. I love these two and we still see and visit on the other end of the yard, where it's safer for them. They had gotten so big that they were having a hard time getting back through the hole ;)
"Waiting on babies"
"Waiting on a new home"
"Waiting to grow up"

"Waiting for dry land"
"Waiting on the strength to make it back home"
"Waiting on the next phase of life"
"Waiting for things to be over" ;)
"Waiting on family to come home safely"

"Waiting on good food to eat"

"Waiting on winter to be over" ;)
What are you waiting on? Are you making the best of your "waiting" time? Are you "living" and loving how you live? I hope so, I hope all of you are enjoying life to it's fullest! We were given this opportunity for a reason......Let's make the best of it!

TTFN!
Julie

8 comments:

  1. Julie, what a beautiful and thought-provoking post. Your writing is lovely...it moved me.

    I'm glad you were there for that poor women just diagnosed with cancer. It was almost like you were meant to be there. And the pictures are great. That tiny frog! Can you imagine the world from its perspective?

    Sometimes the best thing for us is to wait and just be still. It teaches us patience and look how much we learn and see!

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  2. Thank you Kim. You are so kind.

    I believe we are all put where we are supposed to be, we just have to be "open" to our position(s/placement(s).
    You've heard of "there's a reason for everything"? I truly believe that saying. That sweet woman I sat with was there for me too in some odd way...maybe to make me more aware of my life....things I should be more thankful for...I don't just see that I'm placed somewhere for someone, because I get something out of my placements in this life as well. We can all learn from each other....

    And that tiny frog;) I hope it made it out there in that great big world! LOL

    Yes, sometimes just being still can be a challenge...but so can moving for a lot of others. We have to make the best out of what we have...and to also be thankful, even though that can be the hardest part of living sometimes.

    Thank you for stopping by and leaving such kind words. I equally enjoy your blog!

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  3. Isn't it funny how these random strangers are in our life for a brief moment, but yet we remember them so vividly (like the woman you comforted with cancer). Sometimes even a sincere smile from a stranger I pass on the street can touch me deeply and stick with me for the rest of the day. I'm silly that way....

    But your words are well said. :)

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  4. I know what you mean Kim. I'm the same way. I don't think you're silly at all, you just have a very sweet and kind spirit...:)

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  5. At this time of year I am looking forward to spring, although the coming of April means two of my sons will go live with their mother until December. I will miss having them around most of the tome but spring also signals my return to full-time employment when I'm gone out of town quite a bit.

    I am also looking forward to my Deutsch Drahthaar puppy getting here. I haven't been this excited for something non-human in a long time. I can even tie into the theme of your blog here Julie. This dog will be my hunting partner. I am a hunter but I believe in using as much of the animal as I can. I also believe in not wasting game and not over-hunting. One of the primary functions of this breed is game recovery after the shot. If I can't guarantee a retrieve why even take the shot? I am very excited to get this dog and start training it.

    At any rate, this time of year is very exciting with the changes in nature and the weather and although it's bittersweet for me personally, I still look forward to it.

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  6. Very nice post, Julie. Great pictures to go with your thought provoking words.

    Love ya
    Penny

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  7. Jared,
    I can appreciate the fact that you care deeply about your children....it shows you have character and integrity. I can also see that in your hunting as well, no one needs to take from nature without giving back to it, and having a companion with you that will retrieve means a lot, thank you for caring and being who you are :)

    Penny, it's always so good to see your comments....I always know when you read my blog(s)...even if it's just to say hi I know you will and that means a lot. Love you!

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  8. Thanks Julie! Happy to be keeping in touch with you here.

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