Simple Things

How does that saying go....

"It's the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all."
 ~Laura Ingalls Wilder

Simple things.... what are they? What do they mean? How do they touch us?  Today I went to visit my Uncle Marty in the hospital. If you didn't know, he was diagnosed with Gillian Barre back at the end of July, and he has had a real, long, tough road of healing. He still has a hard and long road ahead of him in recovery, but each day there seems to be a little more progress. His wife and family continue to amaze me with their faith, trust, and hope in God. It really is a beautiful testimony! He is having surgery again tom, please keep him and his family in your prayers.

As we were talking today, about football, holidays coming up, his procedures, and his progress in recovery.... you can tell he is positive, has a good attitude, and oh so faithful and trusting in God, but can't help it that he gets down, frustrated too. I couldn't imagine being in bed, being so helpless, not able to do things for oneself, and making so many little steps, it's hard to see the overall progress when one is in it everyday. I tried to encourage him, that he has made tremendous progress.... yes, the steps are small. Yes, it's little victories such as being able to breath on your own, give a hand squeeze, or give a thumbs up, or even something bigger as a hug! And one of these days, we will be cheering as he walks out of the hospital! Yes, Marty, you will get there! One day at a time.
But what really touched me as we were talking today, was the realization of what is important in life. It's the simple things in life that are extraordinary.  He was telling me, that sometimes his wife and him talk about what they are going to do when he gets out of the hospital/rehab, when he is able to go back home. What would be the first things you would want to do? After being able to only lie in a bed for months? He said, we don't want to do anything fancy, like go to Las Vegas or anything... we just want to be able to go on walks again together. And I want to be able to call and talk to my son every night again. Those.... simple things. Is that anymore real? Anymore humbling?  Especially in our world now, where Black Friday shopping happens earlier and earlier, where having the best of the best is what one's goal may be, where working hard and long hours to get a promotion.... when instead we should be striving to enjoy the simple things instead.  We are all guilty of it. I know I am.
So maybe this Thanksgiving and Advent into Christmas season.... we can all stop and take a moment to appreciate the simple things around us a little more, and be grateful for them. I know I am going to try my hardest to be grateful for those simple things each and everyday!