A life not in vain

June 20, 2012 • 2 Comments

I recently returned from a trip out of state to visit with my mother in-law and father, both of whom have health issues. During the visit, we brought my father home after a stay in hospital due to a relapse of his illness, and I could see that he had become weaker and more tired. He is losing ground in his battle against his disease, and I felt that it would likely not be long before we would say our final goodbye.

During this time, I was battling a bout of hives that has been ongoing and was, at that moment particularly bad. I was challenged to focus on Dad and his needs - succeeding at times, and failing miserable at others. It was stressful and painful - my husband can attest to that - and I am sure I did not do my best during our visit.

Now that I am home again, I understand how challenging it is to care for those we love when we are not at our best. Yet, we must understand how important it is to put aside our own needs for the needs of another. Is this easy? No, yet we must find a way to do this, even if only for a moment. I believe that one of our greatest trials is to put others needs before our own especially when we are not at our best. We can be like the flowers in the image - softening the hardness of life, bringing beauty and a moment of joy.

I remembered Emily Dickinson's following poem:

If I can stop one heart from breaking,

I shall not live in vain;

If I can ease one life the aching,

Or cool one pain,

Or help one fainting robin

Unto his nest again,

I shall not live in vain.

Live the life that eases the pain of others, and you shall not live in vain.

Lesli

Keywords: giving, in, life, not, vain

Comments

2.Joyce Camp(non-registered)

Beautiful photo and beautiful words! I know what you mean..no matter how I feel if I think someone else needs me I'll do what I can to help or care for them first!

1.Jess(non-registered)

Thank you for reminding us to step back for a moment and put others first.

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