A Podcast… and Gratitude For the Little Things
You guys. While I was at the gym today I listened to this episode of the Big Ass Runner podcast. This is a podcast I regularly listen to, and this week’s episode was “A Powerful Story of Tragedy and Triumph (with Karen Sparks).” I had no idea what the “tragedy” was- you never know with these things. It could have been something like “I broke my leg but then came back to run a marathon.” But… no. This woman was married and had two kids, a girl and a boy, ages eight and nine. Her husband turned out to be a fraud and ultimately, a psychopath. She decided to divorce him, took the kids and moved out. But she couldn’t prevent the kids from seeing their father, so she dropped them off with him for a weekend. Well. I feel like I should somehow ease into this but there’s no way. The guy set their house on fire with himself, both kids, and their two dogs inside… and they all died. I just can’t stop thinking about this. This actually happened. Those kids…. and this woman had to somehow go on living after that. In the podcast episode she talks about how she managed to find her way through this- partially from taking up ultrarunning, but she also obviously had massive therapy. At one point she was suicidal and checked herself into a residential treatment facility that specializes in trauma. Now she runs a nonprofit organization that helps women who need this kind of treatment but can’t afford to pay for it. She sounds incredibly strong, but I’m sure she lives with a tremendous amount of pain. My worst day is probably still better than her best day. It really, really helps put things in perspective, and reminds me to focus on all the good. Obviously we’re all grateful, every day, that our loved ones are safe and healthy. And that we have a roof over our heads. But there are plenty of little things I’m grateful for as well. Like… the fact that my daughter can get lunch at school this week. She’s started band camp for marching band, and they had the option to bring a lunch or order lunch from Subway. When I asked her which she wanted, she said, “Well, since we won’t have a kitchen I guess I better get the school lunch.” Good call. I’m also incredibly happy that our air conditioning is fixed! What if it had gone out this week, while our kitchen is also ripped apart? I guess we’d be staying in a hotel. I’m also grateful that Publix has vegan subs! I can foresee this being dinner many times over the next week… or two. And I’m grateful that I have a job… a job that takes me OUT OF THE HOUSE all day. My poor husband has been home dealing with the kitchen, and it’s not fun. Meanwhile I’m at work checking in periodically: Yep, this kitchen thing is trying. But I can’t really complain when I’ll end up with a new kitchen. It’s just going to take a little longer than we thought- but that’s okay. Patience! All will be well. What’s a little thing you’re grateful for today?