It was two years ago today that my husband survived a heart attack. I once again find myself filled with gratitude for the paramedics, firefighters and medical personnel who saved Larry’s life. That Friday afternoon after his weekly tennis game, just a day after his beloved mother’s death, is crystal clear in my memory. You can read more about that traumatic day here, as well as my reflections last year on the first anniversary.
“Gratitude” is something I have spent a great deal of time thinking about in recent months. There have been many losses in my life, something one can expect at my age, I suppose. It seems to come down to either celebrating life and experiencing gratitude for its gifts, or dwelling on past and future losses to come.
This has been an enormous task for me, to live in a state of gratitude, and it is something I work on almost daily. I have always been an anxious sort of person and Larry’s heart attack  haunts me. I still hover over him, as I will after this afternoon’s tennis game, even though I know how annoying my behavior must be for him. But my sweet husband is a patient man, and he will tolerate me in his usual kind manner.
We speak of our good luck almost every day as we reflect on our happy life together these past sixteen years.We remain grateful for our good fortune two years ago and will make this our focus today. The firefighters at Station 8 have received their thank-you note and loaded Starbucks card, and the day unfolds ahead of us.
To live in a state of gratitude is my task today, tomorrow and forward into our future, whatever lies ahead.
Beautifully written Liz. To be grateful is something we all need to take some time to remember, so often we take life for granted. Lovely picture of Larry! Thinking of you both today.
Thank you, Jayne – the post wrote itself, truly.
Love to you and love to Larry!
X0 Thanks, Mare –
Gosh, I can’t believe it’s been 2 years – that’s wonderful Liz. Best wishes and lots of love to you and to Larry.
Time flies, doesn’t it? Thanks, Lynda –
Beautiful post & thanks for sharing an important reminder to us all to be grateful for all we have! I’m sure the firefighters at station 8 love the reminder you send them each year as thanks for helping your husband 🙂 Wishing you both musch happiness!
Thanks so much for your support – it’s been a bit of a long day –
Oh Liz what a beautifully written piece, it is a gentle reminder of how we all should be grateful and cherish those we hold dear. Bless those fire fighters, what would we do without them. I am sure your husband loves and appreciates your”hovering” he is reminded just how much you love and care for him. What a beautiful story and thank God for a happy outcome. Continued good health to you and your wonderful husband.
Yes, we are quite tight with the team at Station 8, even though only one or two of them remain who were in the house that day.
Thank you for sharing this and please give Larry a hug from us. XOXO
Sure – he’s still playing tennis and I’m staying cool 😉
What a heartfelt, poignant post, Liz. Beautifully written.
Carol, thanks – wish we had some of your delicious blood orange cake for dessert tonight 😉
Yet again a beautiful, thoughtful piece. You are a special being Liz. Thank you.
Karen, I appreciate you every time you comment and you were such a help to me when I was thinking about my target reader. I love keeping in touch.
to echo what so many others have said – thank you for a beautifully written and piogant post. gratitude is something i struggle to live in also and reminders such as yours are welcome. I’m so very glad your husband survived and you have had 2 yrs of gratitude since then – may you have at least a few more.
I so appreciate you taking the time to comment, Jacquie –
Congrats to L for another year going strong! And I love your message and sentiment, Liz. Lately my husband has been really into keeping a gratitude journal and being grateful and your message ties into what we’ve been living and breathing here, too 🙂
Averie, an especial thanks –
Such a touching and heartfelt post Liz. I can’t believe it has been two years, Larry looks fabulous, you took such a wonderful photo of him here. I wish you continued years of perfect health and effortless gratitude my friend.
Thank you, Wendy – we are overdue for a catch-up chat on the phone.
We all need to take time and hug our loved ones. Our time here really is short and I know I appreciate all the wonderful friends I have in my life. Wishing you and Larry many more happy and healthy years together!
Liz,
I am at work, pushing back the tears, but they are good tears. Wonderful post. Muah!
Thanks, Jenny!!!
Gratitude. I think about it a lot. GREG
Me too and I struggle to remain in a state of gratitude – sometimes.
So very happy to read this, Liz. I do remember your previous posts. So wonderful that Larry is on the mend. May you have many, many years ahead together. 🙂
[K]
So sweet, dear Kim- thanks X0
What a beautifully written post from the heart, dear Liz. I’m so grateful for so many things in my life, including our friendship. May you and Larry have many healthy years ahead of you.
Thank you, Susan, I’m so glad we met through food 52!