Life's simple pleasures ...thank you for a great day, Lord/Buddha/Brahman/Allah

What a glorious day today - for so many reasons. Where to begin? I was fortunate enough to participate in a lovely team building event at a gorgeous off-site facility - ie not where I work! - located on acres and acres of beautiful rolling land, complete with lush gardens full of organic herbs and vegetables, roaming spring chickens, piglets and lambs, manicured lawns ...oh my gosh - just a beautiful spot. The event was a "prepare-your-own-lunch" event with our team - ie the group I work with - and the camaraderie, the fun in working together to prepare an outstanding meal, the laughs and giggles in general, and then the joy of sharing an exquisite meal at a breathtaking location with people that I am so unbelievably blessed to work with - and that have been a huge support to me through my breast cancer fight and now through this next challenge - ....well, it was one of those days, one of those moments that I want to remember. Every last moment. Every last detail. I felt overwhelmed with love and gratitude to the Good Lord above for blessing me with such beautiful, kind, gracious people; with such good food and wine; with laughs and hugs and a delightful afternoon away from the office to relax and just experience life. That is what makes life special - laughing, enjoying a good meal, the simple pleasures....and on a larger scale, what makes the difficult times bearable - knowing that I and my darling hubby will not be doing it alone ....we are so so blessed ...

So, tonight's post is really just to reflect on life's simple pleasures and that I suppose I have forgiven myself for all those times in my life when I was rushing to get to the "next phase" in my life or for always wanting more, bigger, faster, blah blah blah ...it just doesn't matter in the end; it really doesn't. At least not for me it doesn't. Perhaps it's my Italian upbringing come full circle - that our social lives and those things for which we were grateful revolved around very simple things - health, love, family and friends, a roof over one's head, good food and of course, good wine. Today's events just underscore that for me ...and being with our friends, visiting our family, just enjoying a nice conversation and a relaxing dinner - that is a beautiful gift. And "stuff" for me anyway just doesn't matter. I know, right? GASP! I have not been to Marshall's in weeks in fact! :-)

I remember visiting my dear friend M. as she lay in her hospital bed and I distinctly remember thinking to myself at the time "she is not laying there regretting the fact that she did not own just one more pair of Prada shoes or a more expensive car or wishing that she had lived in a more posh neighbourhood..." ...I think you get the picture. When she passed away, I vowed to myself that I would simplify my life and make more time for friends and family and all that good stuff but soon fell into old habits. It happens. When I got sick 18 months ago, I thought "f**k this*  and tried to move on quickly but I did learn and relearn a very important lesson and that is that the only things that really, REALLY matter are in fact health, the love of friends and family, and beautiful days like today. I thank you all for forgiving me my errors and past ways ...and am so thankful to each and every one of you.

And at the risk of sounding preachy or moralistic (uh oh) which is complete anathema to me, truly - it is not my place to judge anyone or suggest that anyone live their lives differently - the only thing I might hope that you fine, beautiful folks might consider - if you haven't already - is merely to please...just please take the time to stop and smell the proverbial roses. Life is short and there are too many good times to be had.... :-)

On that happy note, this gal is tired! Hoping everyone had a glorious day and wishing everyone a glorious evening. Tomight's closing is courtesy of Ms. AC (thank you again, AC!!)

Stay witty and pritty :-)
(I can use that while I still have hair! And the spelling is deliberate!) :-)

Cancerella
xoxoxo