...and we're reminded of it everyday but do we heed this? Most times, no. We're too caught up in the mundane and unimportant details of our daily routine. They're necessary for the smooth running of our lives but in the bigger picture are they worth it? I don't know.
I've had an existential wake up call so to say since last Saturday. I was woken up at 6.28am that morning by a call from my sister. Our 96 year old maternal grandmother had just passed away in Samoa. It was expected as she had been quite frail but one is never really ready for such calls. Providence though made sure all my family back home surrounded her when she took her last breath. She had lived a rich and blessed life leaving behind six children, many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. We all learnt a lot from her sense of hard work, her unwavering faith, her pensive demeanor and wicked sense of humour!
I was going through my albums to look for pictures of her for the usual memorabilia at her funeral when I came across pictures of others who had gone before her. My father. My grandfather. My many uncles, aunts, some cousins and even a few close friends. One minute we're all smiling happily at a camera capturing a joyous moment and the next... it is just a memory. Just a photo. And yet it represents SO MUCH!
I know, I know. It's life and we'll all get there one day but I can't help but think that more often than not we waste the opportunities we have in between now and that one day. We waste time on negativity, we waste energy on people who don't matter, we waste money on material things which in a few weeks to a few years will be useless. We waste so much on doing things we do not like and we waste words on mindless jibberish. And the list goes on and on and on ...
When I'm on my death bed (sorry to be so morbid but happy holidays! ha!) I bloody well hope I will have given it my all and my everything, spent it doing what I love and will have surrounded myself with people who love me and loved them all right back!
It's not easy mind you but if my grandmother can do it, and let me tell you, she did it whole-heartedly and with so much faith then I will try to do the same. I will do it for myself but especially for her and others before me who gave me this life to live.
Ia manuia lau malaga Tina. Rest in Love Kereti Solomona.
I've had an existential wake up call so to say since last Saturday. I was woken up at 6.28am that morning by a call from my sister. Our 96 year old maternal grandmother had just passed away in Samoa. It was expected as she had been quite frail but one is never really ready for such calls. Providence though made sure all my family back home surrounded her when she took her last breath. She had lived a rich and blessed life leaving behind six children, many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. We all learnt a lot from her sense of hard work, her unwavering faith, her pensive demeanor and wicked sense of humour!
I was going through my albums to look for pictures of her for the usual memorabilia at her funeral when I came across pictures of others who had gone before her. My father. My grandfather. My many uncles, aunts, some cousins and even a few close friends. One minute we're all smiling happily at a camera capturing a joyous moment and the next... it is just a memory. Just a photo. And yet it represents SO MUCH!
I know, I know. It's life and we'll all get there one day but I can't help but think that more often than not we waste the opportunities we have in between now and that one day. We waste time on negativity, we waste energy on people who don't matter, we waste money on material things which in a few weeks to a few years will be useless. We waste so much on doing things we do not like and we waste words on mindless jibberish. And the list goes on and on and on ...
When I'm on my death bed (sorry to be so morbid but happy holidays! ha!) I bloody well hope I will have given it my all and my everything, spent it doing what I love and will have surrounded myself with people who love me and loved them all right back!
It's not easy mind you but if my grandmother can do it, and let me tell you, she did it whole-heartedly and with so much faith then I will try to do the same. I will do it for myself but especially for her and others before me who gave me this life to live.
Ia manuia lau malaga Tina. Rest in Love Kereti Solomona.
3 comments :
So many unimportant things and a bit of a kick to see things in perspective. life such a blessing and so happily sorrowfulful too. Manuia Lou Malaga Tina <3 *hugs* for you lovely xox
I agree with you 100% life is so very fragile and sometimes we tend to forget that very basic principle - to never take it for granted.
May your grandmother rest in peace.
our condolences Utu ): but what a legacy she leaves behind and your words are so true...there is much to be hopeful for and much difference one can make when you focus on positives. alofa atu
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