What Matters Most

In the Tree House: What Matters Most            

By: Samantha S. Daviss

Sadly in the recent past there have been several tragedies that have hit close to home, and some not so (logistically) close to home…but it’s made me recount to myself, my family and those around me just how grateful I am every single day they are in my life.

National tragedies that have affected our nation have been the Boston Marathon bombing, the explosion in West, Texas, and most recently the horrific tornadoes that swept through Moore, Oklahoma.

But a little closer to home, a mother and father grieve for the sudden and tragic loss of their baby boy. I can’t even imagine the pain that any of these people are going through; nor will I ever say that I understand what they are feeling. Until you have witnessed the pain first hand, you haven’t earned the battered and broken badge to allow you to express just how painful it is.

All we can do as a community and society is be there for those who have suffered through these excruciating losses. And from all of this heartache we must learn what is truly important in life.

When we are gone people won’t remember us for the house we lived in, the car we drove, the jewelry we wore, or the clothes on our back…but they will remember us for how much we loved, how much we appreciated, and how much we showed those around us what they truly meant to us each and every day we were on this planet.

We are thrown curve balls in life every single day, that we must make sense of; some are more demanding and catastrophic than others, but nonetheless we must figure out how to navigate through life with what we are handed.

That is why it is so very important to enjoy every minute you are together; and to never take for granted that you will see their smiling face at the end of the day; because sadly, the truth of the matter is, you just might not see that dimpled filled face ever again. Just like I have said, never go to bed angry; well, never part ways angry. Always tell the people in your life what they mean to you, because you never know when it could be your last good bye, your last hug, your last smile that you will ever see on that sweet face. Make the time to slow down and realize what is the most important factors of your life. Don’t be in such a rush that you miss out on all the good stuff.

To take a theme from an oldie but goody movie, City Slickers (with Billy Crystal)…there is that one thing in life that means the most to all of us. It is different for every one, but there is that one thing in our lives that is our reason for being; but it is up to you to figure it out.

You never know what tomorrow holds; you must always learn from your past; but most importantly treasure the present, for it is a gift bestowed upon us all.

As I squeezed my boys a little tighter, and tucked them in bed with a few more kisses, and grabbed some extra hugs these past few days, I felt a pain in my gut; some of it a pain of guilt that I was able to do that, and these other families were not; but then I realized these people wouldn’t want me to feel guilt they would want me to treasure the fact that I can do just that…love my boys in the hear and now. However, admittedly so, a lot of my pain was for their grief that they could no longer do what I am able to do; and with that I send my love, prayers and support to all those affected by all of these horrific tragedies both near and far.

To you, I take my hat off and acknowledge your strength, bravery and courage for waking up each morning and trying to make sense of it all. But know that your families, friends, and community are there at every waking moment you need them.