Perspectives by Ruth Smith Meyer

I opened my peepers only enough to see it was already light outside.  I quickly closed my eyes again and actually napped a bit. 

Next time I awoke, I dared look at the clock.  It was already past the time I usually get up, but I rolled over and shut my eyes again.  I thought of a list of things waiting to be done—a list that seemed too long.  


Just as I had closed my eyes, I groaned inside and slammed the door on my thoughts.  I pulled the blanket up higher and drifted off again. 

The next time I awoke, I knew the time had come.  Whether I wanted to start the day or not, I needed to get up and face it.

After a better night’s sleep than I’ve had for awhile, one would think I’d have been ready to bounce out of bed ready to tackle anything that would cross my path. Why was I so reluctant to begin another day? Oh there were a whole list of reasons—but even to myself, they sounded flimsy. The thought of meeting a friend for the evening meal, finally gave me the impetus to get out of bed.

After a bit of breakfast, I was still struggling to know which of the things on my list I should tackle, when I heard the lawnmower in the front lawn.  Since I have lived in this house, my kind and gentle neighbour has mowed my lawn.  He refuses to tell me how much I owe him. He says “Just a little something now and then.”  Even as his MS progresses, making walking more difficult all the time, he faithfully does the job saying he needs to keep going as long as he can.  

I went to the front porch to give him my “little something.”  As always, he stopped the mower and chatted for a while.  This spring there were two deaths in his family, in quick succession.  The stress from that and a few other unfortunate incidents in the same time period have had their effects on his physical strength and ability.  Yet his cheerful conversation although acknowledging the difficulty, was full of things for which he is thankful.

I returned to my house not only thankful for a good neighbour, but also for the new perspective he gave me.  If he can be so thankful, then most certainly I can lay aside my blue mood and give thanks for my many blessings.

Ruth Smith Meyer enjoys writing, drawing and speaking to groups.  Find out more about her at www.ruthsmithmeyer.com