There are so many
things that we take for granted on a regular basis that it pays to lose
something for a while. Sometimes these are tangible things such as phones or
vehicles or entertainment systems. These things are on a level of awareness
that strikes us immediately and fairly head on. We miss them, but we adapt quickly
because we know that they are or could be available again.
There are other
things that we only know as having been taken for granted when they are
irretrievably lost. These tend to be the more intangible things, many of which
involve some sort of relationship. We lose our parents, or siblings, or
favorite relatives and friends, or even pets. One phrase has it that when we
lose a person, we lose a library. Indeed that is true, and more than a library.
Our web of connections is altered and our personal universe has to readjust to
rebalance its suns and moons and stars. Our faith may be quite strong and
supportive, but the reality of loss remains, carried as part of our stage
scenery, usually unnoticed but ever present.
Lastly, there are
those things that we don’t know we would miss and therefore take most for
granted. These are things that others might think of as silly things to take
for granted such as gravity, trust, hope, a sense of humour, the ability to
love, daily sun light, and language. These are foundation stones of our lives
and our joys, the reasons behind our ability to live. It would be nice to
occasionally try to spell them out and hold them up to the light for full appreciation.
It’s in looking back
that much of this is often brought to mind. Years ago, I read something by Don
Herold (1889-1966) that was originally published in a 1953 Reader’s Digest
magazine. Part of it will suffice to provide a sample of the list that each of
us might make for ourselves:
“If I had my life to
live over, I would try to make more mistakes. I would relax. I would be sillier
than I have been this trip. I know of very few things that I would take
seriously. I would be less hygienic. I would go more places. I would climb more
mountains and swim more rivers. I would eat more ice cream and less bran. I
would have more actual troubles and fewer imaginary troubles. ... I never go
anywhere without a thermometer, a gargle, a raincoat and a parachute. If I had
it to do over, I would travel lighter…. I would seek out more teachers who
inspire relaxation and fun. I had a few of them, fortunately, and I figure it
was they who kept me from going entirely to the dogs. From them I learned how
to gather what few scraggly daisies I have gathered along life's cindery
pathway.”
Allow me to add that
my personal list would probably include “I would leave my mobile phone behind
more often.”
