The Circle of Life.
This weekend I am sitting in my apartment in Hong Kong, waiting for news on my Grandpa who has cancer, and is declining rapidly. It is times like this when being an expat is hard. I am relying on information from my sisters as to whether I should get on a plane home or not. I feel a bit isolated and far removed from what I consider the most important value in my life…my family.
Grandpa is 90, and has been fit and healthy up until a few weeks ago. My grandparents love story is one that inspires me and, confirms my faith in love ever after. The respect, devotion and friendship they share is obvious to everyone. At 90 and 80 respectively, they still walk down the street holding hands, and stop every now and again for a quick kiss and cuddle… Although Grandma jokes that she has to be careful about letting him have too many kisses as it could lead to other things!!
When I think of my grandparents, I can’t help but smile. They have always been fit and healthy and interested in my life and my children’s. They never miss a birthday or Christmas. Our trips home to Australia aren’t complete without a three-hour drive up the coast to spend the day with them. A highlight of every visit is heading to the huge sand dunes behind their home, where they would walk with us to the top of the highest one, and watch the children sled down. However, what I love best is listening to their stories about the war years, and Grandma’s nursing days. My head and heart are full of tales of their youth, and as both my Grandparents liked to live life to the fullest, there are some colorful stories.
I have learnt so much from them about making the most of every moment of every day, and never taking your health and happiness for granted. I look to them as role models of how I would like my relationship to be in another 30 years. I want my grandchildren to look forward to visiting us as much as I have always looked forward to visiting them.
Life moves and changes from one day to the next, one minute to the next. While we make plans for the future we desire, we never really know what’s around the corner.
Take time to be aware of what you have to be grateful for in your life. Think about what makes you happy, and do it. Tell the important people in your life that you love them. Listen to the stories of your Parents and Grandparents as we can learn so much from them.
“You’ve gotta dance like there’s nobody watching, Love like you’ll never be hurt, Sing like there’s nobody listening, And live like it’s heaven on earth.”― William W. Purkey
NB – Since writing this piece, my Grandpa has passed away peacefully in his sleep.