Monday, February 29, 2016

Change of Heart

My last post was about Joey Feek and I hope you will bear with me just one more time. I just read an update and she only has days to live. She is has been sleeping for days. Joey has said her most precious goodbyes. Her husband, Rory, says that Joey has given their baby girl her last, sweet kiss. Only a few unsaid good-byes remain.

Most of you know that I was hospitalized last week. Four days of poking and prodding and gurneys and no sleep and I thought I was having it rough. The pity-party line of well wishers were coveted and the visits, flowers, and attention were intoxicating.  Released on the fourth day, the doctors figured out the problem and sent me on my way with follow-up instructions and a new RX for life. But there were no threats to my existence. Certainly no countdown established or hushed words of the gut-wrenching variety.

I have been home for two days now and it is quiet. I got too much attention at the hospital and not too much here at home, alone. It sounds so selfish as I read back aloud what I just wrote. I want to just hit the backspace and undo. I bet some of the folks who I know currently facing a harsh reality would love a backspace button.

I am called to change my ways in a hurry. Nothing short of a switch from my Granny's bush in the Carolinas seems fitting. My heart is sad and I feel small and rebuked. What have I been thinking?When exactly am I going to learn how short it all is, how fast it all goes? When, when, when?

Love, people! Love is the thing. Love them all.

I guess it is getting morbid for some of you but hopefully cathartic for most, because here is the thing....that one thing that really, really, stuck out to me; something of particular note; a phrase said by Rory Feek of his wife, Joey. Here are his words, as they were written:

"In the 40 short years that Joey has lived, my bride has accomplished many great things… she's lived a very full life," he wrote. "But even more than that, she has loved those around her greatly and been loved greatly in return. I can honestly say that Joey's isn't just a life well-lived, it's a life well-loved." (see note)

A life well-lived...a life well-loved.

What a beautiful life.

Note: Quote was taken from ET Online article, dated February 29, 2016 by Meredith B. Kile

#RealGurlLife