What Really Matters...

We get caught up in the day to day stressors of life. Trying to find a job is high on our list here.  But everyone has bills, teens, family stress, marital stresses, taxes, politics...stress is everywhere around us.  As firewives, we have even more.  We act as single parents 1/3 of the time.  Yesterday, I held the fort down, made the appointments, took are of business, moderated fights, took muppets to eye appointments, handle the practice schedule, solo.  It is part of this life, but it does bring stress into our lives.

Then, this morning, Facebook reminded me that this is really not important.

A friend of mine from middle school has a brain tumor.  We had a close crew.  A vast majority of our crew went to the two local high schools, the rest of us were splattered among the privates and specialty schools...but Facebook  brought many of us back together and we chat on a regular basis.  And when you see pictures posted from chemo treatments and smile faces of the family on their adventures and the notes on the Caring Bridge updates that the tumor has grown, again...you take a step back.  We are not even 40.  Our kids are still small.  And that is a big deal.  

The rest...

The rest is just background noise. 

Bills will always be there, make adjustments based on where you are.  I have a job waiting for me - just not my ideal.  But it will pay the bills.  My FF is willing to sub on all his off days to make up the difference in my salary.  We will be okay.  

But my friend, for my friend's family there might be just these pictures of the smiling crew.  The agony of the next round of treatment - worse than chemo, the stress on the family, the very real possibilities that the future holds - that is the real stress.  We face the same reality, but 2/3 of the time I don't have to worry about.  But the stress for my friend's family isn't going away.

And it is a reminder of what really matters.

Not how much we have, but how many memories we make.  I just sent the muppets into the dining room to write some recent memories down and toss them in the jar.  The laughter, the time spent - that is what matters. 

Those smiling pictures in the places they are cramming in NOW, that is what matters.  Making the memories that will last forever, that is what matters.  Spending time as a family, that is what matters.  Love, real love, holding your hair back kind of love, is what matters.  


The rest is just details, background noise.

So, what are you going to do with your Muppets and FF this weekend?  How will you celebrate life?  With S'mores and a campfire, bike rides and a picnics, a minor league baseball game or just a movie night with some popcorn and everyone laughing.  Whatever it is, enjoy the moment.