Things I’m learning…
If I live to be 101, it will not be because I was on the computer all hours of the day and night, but because of all hours of the day and night I spent laughing and spending time with myself and those I love.
If I live to be 101, it will not be because I had a lot of money in the bank (which I don’t, hahaha…. ha… ha… blah). Okay, sure, it’d be nice, but even I know it won’t make me live longer!
It’d more likely be because instead of chasing the almighty dollar, I chased other things to fill me up with joy, love, memories, things that don’t cost a dime.
If I live to be 101, it will not be because my house is clean all the time (whew!), but because of the fun messes I made along the way and waited to clean up later, after the fun was over (and no one died because I did).
If I live to be 101, it won’t be because I stayed away from the sick, the weak, the not so nice. It will more likely be because I reached out my hand to them, loved them, encouraged them, and became that fisher of men God talks about.
If I live to be 101, it won’t be because my hair and makeup all looked good. It’ll be because I rolled down the windows (or took the top off that FUN Jeep I’m going to get one day!), and let my hair blow everywhere and my makeup fade with the sunset after another great day or that I didn’t wear any at all and let the wrinkles, freckles, lashes, and lips shine just the way they are!
If I live to be 101, it won’t be because I invested dollars wisely (what a relief because I couldn’t tell you what the Dow is). It will more likely be because I invested in myself learning new things, invested in others I love, making their day better, investing in my heart’s account and those of others.
If I live to be 101, it won’t be because I was the busiest person, the best photographer, a famous author. It will be because I tried NOT to be the busiest person, because I focused on finding joy in MY photos and not comparing myself to others, and because when I wrote, I let the words flow that He laid on my heart, the ones that my children will treasure when I’m gone and maybe one person needed to hear.
If I live to be 101, it will not be because of all the degrees on my wall (another good thing!), but because the walls of my heart are decorated with beautiful graffiti made of memories in bright colors and smileys and hearts, not pieces of paper that said what I accomplished.
If I live to be 101, it will not because I had a big friend list or following or lots of Facebook likes. It will be because of true, good friends, who are there for me, pray for me, love me in spite of me, and for whom I do the same.
If I live to be 101, it will not be because there HAD to be a man in my life to get me there. It would be because in God’s plan, He sent me one who loves me for me, accepts me for me, makes me laugh and feel safe, picks me daisies on the side of the road or buttercups from a field, chases sunrises with me, and dances with me in the kitchen. One who makes the memories magic.
If I live to be 101, may I close my eyes on my last day and be so thankful that I lived a life not just well spent but fully spent, every last bit of it, and knowing that I gave someone a hug they won’t forget, that I loved more than I should have, and that I made someone smile because I was on the planet.
Love you bunches,
Tracey
p.s. Thank you lovely people for being here, your constant comments of love and encouragement, and for anytime you share something here with someone out there. Prayers for my words to reach the right person always.
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