Family, Gratitude

Reflections from a Half-Marathon

Retirement Reflections

We spent this past weekend in Victoria, BC, watching our youngest son, Creighton, compete in a half marathon. A priority for our retirement years is to attend family events as often as we can.

It was a beautiful weekend—with our dog in tow. While waiting for Creighton to pass by the 16 K loop, we spotted an ocean view bench with a bouquet of flowers. That type of sight always saddens me.  This time, it hit me even harder. The bench was dedicated to Taylor, who was born in 1988 – the exact same year that Creighton was born. She died in 2004. That would mean she was just sixteen years old. I shuddered. How much in my own sons’ lives have I taken for granted that Taylor and her family have missed?

I became lost in a mixture of emotions — sadness and joy, fear and gratitude. My husband called my name, jolting me from my introspection. Our son was running past.

Creighton finished the race in second place (21 K in just 1 hour and 18 minutes). Without him knowing anything about the memorial that we had seen, he thanked us for being at the race for him.

My major realizations in retirement include: Life is short; family is everything; gratitude makes us truly alive.  I never want to lose this perspective.

 

 

Published by Retirement Reflections

Prior to retirement, I lived and worked in Beijing China for fourteen years (Middle School Principal/Deputy Director at The Western Academy of Beijing). Leaving international life behind, my husband and I retired to Vancouver Island in June 2015. To document both this transition and our new adventures, ‘Retirement Reflections’ was born. I hope that you enjoy reading these reflections, and will be willing to share your own.

15 thoughts on “Reflections from a Half-Marathon”

  2. Wonderful realizations you shared! I couldn’t agree with you more. So glad Creighton did so well and that you could be there.

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    1. Thanks,Nancy – This blog is proving to be an extra way to keep in touch with many great people. Thanks for subscribing! Donna

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  3. Beautiful post! Often we move through our lives without realizing how truly lucky we are. Then, a reminder like you saw stops us short and fills us with both sadness and gratitude. Congrats to your son! How nice that you were able to share his triumph with him.

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    1. Thanks, Janis. That is one of the true powers of blogging. It helps you to stop and reflect on what is really important!

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  4. I love the way you have stated these three thoughts: “Life is short; family is everything; gratitude makes us truly alive.” They are such valuable observations. Recently I was in Nanimo for my grandson’s first birthday, and it led me to remember a year earlier when he was born, and I was able to be at my daughter’s bedside and hold him when he was just hours old. Your three points closely capture much of what I felt.
    Jude

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    1. Thanks, Jude. Our first grandson was born nine months ago. Holding him that on the day he was born, I too felt the same. We seem to have lots in common. Thanks for commenting. Donna

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    1. Hi, Candy – Thanks for stopping by. And thanks for hosting the Grandmother’s Link Party — I am thoroughly enjoying it@

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  7. Congrats to your son! I like this post and you said it – Life is short. Thank you Donna for sharing at #BloggingGrandmothersLinkParty #LinkUp #BlogParty. I shared on social media.

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  8. Awww nice. You are in a good place and realizing you are in a good place makes it even better. Enjoy it. Thank you for sharing with #blogginggrandmotherslinkparty. #linkparty, #party. I have shared on social media.

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    1. It is said that ‘gratitude’ is the key to happiness and I quite agree.
      Thanks for sharing my post on your social media Clearissa. I am off to check out your site now.

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