Last week the family and I took a trip up to Seattle to go to some of our favorite destinations as well as to visit a friend of the family. She recently divorced from her husband of 25 years after finding out that he was involved in an extramarital affair. Upon arriving at the house, she and her 18 year old daughter came out to greet us and after exchanging a few hugs, my wife, daughter and I went into the house.
I had memories from previous visits of the house being filled with furniture, pictures on every wall and a vibrant, loving atmosphere permeating as a result of a strong family structure being in place. What I saw now was a house that was sparsely furnished, lots of relatively bare walls, in a state of semi-disrepair and without a state of any positive feeling whatsoever. What went from a home that housed a family consisting of a husband and wife with two children along with a few pets was now a structure that provides basic shelter for a single mother accompanied by an angry and emotionally devastated younger daughter whose older sister had since left home.
Absent was the sense of having a place to go to and enjoy life while in the presence of loved ones. All that I found in place now was a location that seemed to make a basic existence a challenge. There was no vibrant energy and support that comes from being in a cohesive and close-knit family.
As I was driving on the way back home, I thought how blessed and fortunate I am. It really is wonderful being able to come home each night and be with people I truly cherish. Thinking about this gave me an even greater sense of gratitude for what I have. Granted we do have our share of arguments and bickering now and then but we quickly get over it. The chance to be in a home filled with love is something I wish for everyone while knowing that this is not the experience that is shared by all. I hope and prey that the friends of ours whose lives have been forever changed by this situation will one day find peace and comfort in their lives.
So if you are one of the fortunate ones who does have a happy family life, take time to realize what a great thing it is that you have. I know I do and for me it makes all the difference in the world.
