"I Feel So Fortunate"

My nine year daughter Téa said these words as we were driving to the next town over to pick up some lumber that was milled for me at a friends custom mill. Her comment caught me a bit by surprise, and I let a minute go by as we continued driving before I asked her why she felt that way.

Her reply also was curious in the depth of her self-reflection. "Not everyone can hang out with their Papa listening to music (Cowgirl by Morgan Wallen on repeat), driving in an old pick up truck (77 Ford Ranger), in rural Colorado".

In an instant I saw the world through her eyes and her life as she was living it. I also felt something catch inside me realizing how I never got to experience what Téa was with my own father who passed when I was three.

I also reflected on the state of the world with wars raging and humans struggling with basic life issues - clean water, consistent food sources, and oppressive political systems. Traveling this country road I had driven countless times with the mountains looming above us, I wondered how is it we so often overlook the ordinary, the sameness of our days and run on auto pilot and not appreciating the typical moments in our lives.

For a nine year old to acknowledge that we are "blessed and lucky" (These Are Days 10,000 Maniacs the next song in our queue) simply driving along togther helped me to appreciate this moment with her - a snapshot in time - and one that I will always cherish.

Yes, I feel so fortunate too.

Thanks for reading.

Jamie Gilroy is a Mindset Coach working with men to unlock their fullest potential. Are you looking to tweak and improve some issues in your life? Are you interested in a free clarity call to investigate working with Jamie? Email him at:jbgilroy@icloud.com And check out his website to learn more about the work he does: https://jamesbgilroy.com

Comments

Until the Next Time said…

Thank you so much for sharing and bringing us into that moment with you! What a beautiful post. Those moments with our children are few and far between sometimes and as they get older and go into their lives, it goes to the next leg of their journey with us as parents as you know. Thank you Jamie for sharing!!!

January 7, 2024 at 3:26 PM

Jamie Gilroy said…

This comment has been removed by the author.

January 7, 2024 at 8:28 PM

Jamie Gilroy said…

Thank you and yes soaking up every little bit of time with these littles before they're big is crucial. It's so easy to forget how fast time goes by..

January 7, 2024 at 8:30 PM

St. Valentines Day

I find it odd that we pick a day in February to celebrate the heart, the emotion of Love, the honoring of those we love. What apparently morphed from some racy pagan festivity into a more buttoned down Christian celebration has now become synonymous with the greeting card maker Hallmark. Hmmm. Regardless of this days origins it has been firmly established in the American psyche (not sure about other countries). Forgetting this day for your beloved, your kids, maybe even your pets, is tantamount to being un-loving. A slouch in the Love department. Nobody wants to be that. What about honoring yourself on this day? Congratulating yourself for making it this far on your journey? And along the way how much love was expressed? How open was your heart as you navigated relationships and all the challenges relationships can reveal? On my late afternoon walk with my two dogs back home these were the thoughts running round my head. And checking in with my heart it felt a bit sad....

Cold Turkey Ain’t All Bad

Warning: If you’re young and healthy and never think about getting older and the world is your oyster and you are under 50 don’t read any further. “Going cold turkey”. The connotation is that we are giving something up. Usually for good. Things like heroin, or booze, or Oxy. Things that really aren’t that good for you. My cold turkey moment was bicycles. Wait. Aren’t bikes supposed to be good for you? Yes, absolutely in theory. However, in my case, not so much. Of course, I loved the feeling of riding a bicycle – the rush of the wind, the freedom of motion, the ability to push my limits, and the boost in fitness. All healthy benefits for sure. Except when crashes happen. They will and they do. Typically, it’s some road rash or bloody knees and elbows with dirt applied. In my case it’s been all the usual get offs plus head trauma. It’s the “plus head trauma” that has me hanging up the bike for good. I just can’t seem to keep from bashing my head when I do ...

Actually, Age Isn’t Just a Number

It’s a mindset. And one that until you reach certain milestones around age, you really don’t think too much about it. Here are some obvious milestones: Puberty. Getting your driver’s permit at 16. Being able to vote in your first election at 18. Legally able to drink at 21. Then the next couple milestones might be around 30 or 40. The realization sinks in that you’re not 25 anymore. A deep dive into middle age is on deck. ******* I have felt youthful my entire life. And by good genetics or a Peter Pan outlook on life I never really felt my age. Turning 50 was no big deal. Turning 60 also didn’t feel that momentous. I did have a total knee replacement that year and that was an indication that some things with my body were worn out. But that was a game changing operation allowing me to continue my very active lifestyle pain free. But this past year being 65 has fucked with my head. I see the manifestations of aging showing up on my body. Hair loss. Muscle loss. Whi...

Before My Last Breath

Search This Blog