Inspire Me Mondays #7: Grandma’s “Special Friend” John

Inspiration can come in the strangest places…even at a funeral. Share your inspiration and you can hopefully be inspired by all of the awesome posts that are linked up here each Inspire Me Monday!

First of all, I’d like to address the fact that I took two weeks off of these Inspire Me Monday posts. The first week was just poor planning on my part—I traveled back to Nebraska for Easter and as much as I hate to admit it, traveling takes up a lot of time. I like to think that when I’m there I will bust out my laptop and work, but when you have a cutie pie of a nephew calling, “Amee-a” (aka Amanda in nephew-talk), it’s a little hard to pull away.

I alluded to this a little on Friday’s post, but the second week, I had to unexpectedly go back to Nebraska AGAIN, but this time for a funeral. Now I know this is all part of life, but it was still hard and a little de-railing. And I just didn’t FEEL like posting.

Blogging is one of those things where sometimes it’s just best not to write unless you are feeling the inspiration. I mean I had a hard enough time just editing and putting photos together for my Caturday post.

So here we are. Another Monday where we come together to be inspired by others and also to do some inspiring with whatever it is that we are good at.

What was I inspired by this past week? Well, a lot of it had to do with that funeral and my family.

Grandma’s “Special Friend” John

Grandma K has been divorced my whole life (as far as I know) and started seeing this “special friend” a number of years ago. He was a little older than her and hard of hearing (and as you will see…did not smile for pictures!), but a sweet old man. I recently thought he reminded me very much of the old man in the movie, Up. (Seemed a little grumpy, but really had a heart of gold.)

John and Grandma K were inseparable. They went to the casino together, family gatherings, birthday parties and whenever you would go over to grandma’s house—there was John sitting on the couch watching a sports game of some kind.

He was hard of hearing, so you had to kind of yell at him, but it was always interesting listening to him talk about his time in the military or about the trouble he used to get into as a young man.

Being Present and Less Selfish

One thing that struck me the most about this funeral was how much I didn’t know about this man that had been a part of my life and my grandma’s life for the past 10 years or so. I cried not only because I would miss him, but out of regret for not getting to know him better.

 

He was so loved by his family (and they are the most awesome people…it’s a shame we all had to meet at a funeral). They told all of these wonderful stories about him bringing candy to his nieces and nephews and even how he was the one to call when you were in the clunker.

I was so affected by this regret and guilt that I resolved to be more present when at family gatherings. To not just focus on the food or on my to-do list for later in the day, but to actually care to listen to people.

Sometimes I can be so stinkin’ self-centered! I suppose that comes with blogging since you are thinking about and analyzing your own life so much…but man I could seriously stand to learn more about others.

Being Okay with Being Alone

It broke my heart to pieces to see my sweet Grandma K cry. She had lost her best friend. Her “special friend” of many years. It was hard for me to see her so hurt and to wonder what she would do without him. Would she still be invited to his family events? What would she do for fun now since she had retired about a year ago? I kept picturing her sitting in her home all alone.

But something struck me as I was leaving her house Monday night. She told me, “I’ll be okay. I was alone for 18 years before he came along. I’ll be okay.” I always knew she was strong, but it hit me then just how strong she really is.

It made me think…would I be okay with being alone? I’m not sure sometimes. I vowed to work on this aspect of my life.

Don’t Take Anyone for Granted

Since I haven’t attended many funerals in my life, I really think I have taken many people for granted. It’s one of those things where you just assume the sick aunt will pull through or that your family members and friends have many more years to live because….nothing bad has really happened for a long, long time.

John’s passing has reminded me of something that I knew, but maybe didn’t know well enough…our time on this earth is fleeting. We won’t live forever.

I really really hope I can embrace these new perspectives and remember to not take life for granted and to pay more attention to those I love.

Inspiration from Diary of a Semi-Health Nut:

Mini Greek Yogurt Pies

These are obviously super cute, but they are also super easy and a great semi-healthy dessert option to satisfy that sweet tooth!

Inspiration from Last Week’s Link-Up:

Cookie Butter Blondies with Chocolate Ganache via Table for Seven

This recipe involves cookie butter..so…

Classic Layered Salad with Avocado Cream via Nicer than New 

What I really want (aside from the deliciocity in this photo) is that clear bowl!

Most Clicked on Link:

Chicken Paprikash via Cooking Mimi 

 

 

 

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Now it’s your turn! Link-Up your inspiring posts here:

Don’t forget to follow your lovely hostesses and check out their favorite posts:

Erin from Table for Seven || Facebook | Twitter | Google+ | Pinterest

CJ from Morsels of Life || Facebook | Twitter | Google+ | Pinterest

Emily from Simple Life of a Fire Wife || Facebook | Twitter | Google+ | Pinterest

Kori from Just Another Mom || Facebook | Twitter | Google+ | Pinterest

Janice from Reflections || Facebook | Twitter | Google+ | Pinterest

Brandi from Being Fibro Mom || Facebook | Twitter | Google+ | Pinterest

Bridget from The Recipe Wench || Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

Linking up to: Thinking Out Loud