When I was eight years old, my family lost everything we owned in a tornado. Had we been at home when the tornado hit, we probably wouldn’t have survived it. I remember right after it happened a reporter was interviewing my mom and trying to get her to tell the saddest story possible. But my mom said something that I will never forget. She said that all the things could be replaced and that our family was safe and that was the most important thing. That statement probably didn’t help sell newspapers, but it has stuck with me for life.
Today my husband was in a car accident. Praise the Lord-he was not injured at all, but unfortunately I can not say the same thing for the car. We are still awaiting to hear the financial news from the garage. There have been times in my life where I have fallen apart during times of financial stress. The last thing we need right now is another bill, but the interesting thing is, I’m not upset about it at all. Maybe it was because I grew up always knowing that it’s the people in our life that matter, not the things. I am so thankful that my husband wasn’t injured. The car can be replaced, money can be earned, but there is no replacement for the love of my life.
Now that I’m a mother, I am even more grateful to my own mother for the words she said in front of me all those years ago. But it was more than words because those words were put into action by both of my parents. I always knew that people were valued far above possessions. My parents always made me feel very valuable and I am so thankful for that life lesson.
I want my son to grow up knowing that he has value and knowing he is loved. I learned at an early age what really matters in life, and that will be an inheritance I will pass to my own child.
27 September 2008, 5:08 am
That’s my girl! I am so proud of the love you and Alan have for one another and Eli. It all comes home when we put value on relationship and not things.