“You aren’t wealthy until you have something money can’t buy.”
~ Garth Brooks
kitty snuggles
loyalty
beauty
fall mornings
nature’s choice
changing seasons
unexpected lovely
bad judgment
worse judgment
persistence (the husband working on his lunch hour)
patience
a great childhood
loving parents and grandparents
fabulous children
who grew into fabulous adults
friendship
a matching sister (bangs included)
devoted parents
As I reflect on this idea and the things money cannot buy, I feel blessed and rich beyond measure. My sister and I were incredibly lucky to have the parents we have/had. We’ve discussed this many times. I hope this gives you pause, that you take a moment to reflect and think about what has enriched you and your life.
What in your life are you appreciative of and what has made you rich?
❤ ❤ ❤
finding merle 
ps – I was a 1960 baby too but judging from the photo – you pipped me to the post by a few months. The photo’s of you and your family are ‘classic 60’s’ – I’ve never got rid of the ‘bangs’ – (Well I think I tried once and decided my forehead was TOO big!) haha! x
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We are closer than I thought; I am a 59er. I can’t have short hair or I look like a light bulb. We have to figure out what works…so exhausting…. 😉
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The lessons I learned from my parents (not all easy ones..) have made me realise how happiness is truly found in the beauty that surrounds us every day when we stop and take a moment to look for it.. Taking time to create happy memories with our families and being inspired by the beauty and power of nature.. This is a very special post! Thank you. x
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I started this blog with family history in mind, and my early posts (history tab) is filled with writings about my father–my often difficult but very loving dad). Who he became was directly related to who raised him: my nasty great grandmother (Orah Myrtle Butterfield–yep, her real name). The posts under The Malevolent Matriarch are about her. We have hundreds of letters she wrote (which capture my father’s childhood) and from those, I started writing our history. I have learned so much–sadly much of my understanding came 9 or 10 years after dad passed. But, at least now I have clarity. ❤ Yes, we need to be in the moment and learn to pay attention. 🙂 Thanks for reading and commenting. 🙂
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I’m looking forward to reading those posts Karen… I suspect there is going to be a similarity with my mum who was a very strong lady and a great character but a bit of a Jekyl and Hyde so wasn’t always easy to live with.. (I was her favourite I suspect so I got away much lighter than my sister..).. For now though – before my husband bonks me over the head with the laptop, I’ll say ‘goodnight’ x
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Thank you, Wendy, and I hope you enjoy those posts. I learned so much about my father; those letters written by Orah Myrtle (my great grandma) provided so much clarity. Since we have hundreds, I still have not read each one, but I will. I learned to understand my father and appreciate Orah. From what you wrote, I take it your mum has passed? I am so sorry. No matter how old we become, I believe we always need our mums. ❤
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Thanks Karen – yes she died 3 years ago.. I miss her geatly and as you say.. we always need our mums. She was very wise though and I find her words coming back to me when I need them… We found bundles of letters sent between my mum and dad. We read a couple of them and they gave a real insight into their early lives together and one of these days I’ll pluck up the strength to read more.. How wonderful that you’ve gained that insight into your family history! x
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I am sorry for your loss. My father passed ten years ago and that still stings. It is his side, though, where those letters come from, and as I said, we have hundreds. They span from ’40-’52; they stopped a few months before Orah passed. I would never have had any insight into her life–or more about my father’s childhood–had these letters not surfaced. They are truly a gem. It will be a process, but now that I’m “retired,” I have the time to delve into it for my children. You find your mum’s words coming back to you. This happens all the time with dad. And, it’s wonderful. 🙂
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wow – that truly sounds like a hidden gem that really is going to help you… It’s strange isn’t it how we still feel their presence in our lives.. Yes – for me I do believe strongly that there is life after death.. You may be interested in a recent post I did on this (I’m not saying that to promote the post.. I just think you may genuinely be interested from your dad’s perspective.. https://brilliancewithin.com/2016/09/23/life-after-death-a-heavenly-party/ … You have something that money can’t buy with those letters.. how incredibly special. xx
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Thank you, Wendy, for every single thing you said here. I will check that link (I also don’t think we’re “done” when we die), and yes, how could those letters ever be replaced? If you ever have a chance to read some of what I’ve posted (under my Malevolent Matriarch series), you will see how nasty Orah could be, especially to my father. Later, years after she passed, he read those letters. I can’t imagine his pain knowing how she felt. Awful. Dad wasn’t one to complain; sadly, he may never have had closure over her behavior and how she treated her daughter Lalla, his mother. So many levels to all of this, and I can see now that unless I stop, I’ll keep up this rant. 😉 Thanks for the thoughtful comment. 🙂
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Karen – I really will spend some time reading the Malevolent Matriarch series – it sounds fascinating (as an outsider) and I appreciate how hard it must have been for you to read this when it’s about your own flesh and blood though! xx
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No pressure. I just think it’s fascinating that someone kept all those letters–Orah wrote once or twice a DAY–and that now we have them. I decided to share because she was unkind and I thought it made for good reading (it was the impetus for this blog) but most of all understanding. ❤
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Gosh – to think she wrote SO many.. I’m starting my reading tonight.. xx
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LOL. No worries. 😉
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I loved the Garth Brooks quote. Stole it. 🙂 The Halloween costumes were hilarious! Didn’t get the perfect parents so I tried hard to be one. Got the perfect kids though. Good kind hearts was all I wanted from them. Sister is not the match but a good friend in every way. The things I missed out on made me appreciate the things I had more. And none of them could be bought. Great Post. Left me smiling.
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I love the ripple effect; so glad this made you smile. Yes, those costumes were a kick. I went as my husband–that piece of fuzz (feels more like a rug) I fashioned into a beard has been in this family for years; it was created years ago by me when our dental staff showed up on Halloween dressed as our boss, who had a beard–and we laughed that I fit into his pants. As I said, “worse judgment.” I sorely miss my father, but mom is here and going strong at nearly 88. Have a great day! 🙂
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What a lovely post! I feel happier just reading it. I especially enjoyed the old pictures.
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Thank you, Sheryl. I am so glad the happy effect found you. 🙂 Have a great day. Working on a post now which involves more old photos. It’s called # 5135. 🙂
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I love the quote that you began this post with. It is one I hadn’t heard before. It isn’t difficult for me to be grateful for the life that I live now – it is very richly blessed. But, when I think about my past, especially my family and my childhood, most of what I remember is very negative and traumatic. Last night, though, as I was falling asleep, it seemed that out of nowhere I found myself recollecting positive moments, cherished images, like moving photographs in my head – a particular sound, sight, smell, feeling, object, or occasion from the distant past. I quickly fell asleep and might not have thought anything more about it, but this post called it back to my attention. Thank you!
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Hi, Lulu. I had a great childhood, but my father was raised by his often overbearing grandma. Sometimes, the effects of how he grew up filtered into his parenting. Not always–generally I have great memories of dad–but sometimes he could be difficult. When I had the opportunity, nine years after he passed, to read letters written by his grandma, my great grandma Orah Myrtle Butterfield, I was able to see things in better perspective and that helped me tremendously. I don’t condone certain behaviors, but it gave clarity. Glad you were able to do the same, “recollecting positive moments.” That is awesome. Yes, I love that quote as well. Thanks for the comments. 🙂
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About six years ago, I relocated out of state for work, and I now live about 800 miles away from most of my family. Ironically, I now live an hour from some of my father’s best friends – the very same couple who introduced my parents. Listening to them tell stories of my dad is bizarre. The man they describe is not the same man that I know. Recently, Kay was cleaning through boxes of old cards and letters, and found several that my grandmother, my dad’s mother, wrote to her. She gave them to me, but I’ve been reluctant to read them. Maybe you are onto something, though. I doubt I would find any answers, but maybe it would make her more of a human being to me, and less an avatar of the characteristics I remember most distinctly about her.
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I am glad you at least started to read the letters. It may be the only clue you have to his past, right, to know the man he used to be? I had to stop several times when reading through our letters from Orah. She was nasty. She was very jealous of my father–this on the heels of losing her oldest daughter many years prior, and dad being her ONLY grandchild–was beyond me. But, it has been a very good thing for me because it did explain a lot about my father who could be…shall we say “difficult?” I even started a series about her and our history (under history tab on the blog, and scroll back) where I called her “The Malevolent Matriarch.” So fitting. I hope to pick up the writings again this fall when I’m inside more. So much to learn. I am glad you wrote about making her “more of a human being.” This is good stuff. 🙂
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We also have four years of letters dad wrote home while in the Navy, from 1951-1954. Those are a true gem. When he referred to his future children and that we would be educated, I was brought to tears. I see snippets of the man he was becoming and it is surreal to read those now, many years after he passed away. But, we have them and they are as precious to me as my children. 🙂
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What a joyful post! Such happy photos. Thanks for making me smile.
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Thank you, Amy. You are most welcome; glad I made you smile. Have a great weekend! ❤
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You are so right! We have all been blessed with riches that money simply can’t buy, and need to take the time to appreciate those things…and people..and experiences more often!
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Thank you, Ann. Have you ever tried to just be in the moment? It’s hard. All the extraneous stuff creeps in and messes with my mind. 😉 It takes work. But, it’s very worth the effort. Have a great day! 🙂
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What a beautiful post Karen, full of the richness of life that money just can’t buy. So important to stop and count our blessings.
Looks like Hubbs is doing great on the decking. 🔪🌿
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Thank you, Miriam. ❤ When my children were little, and my father and I had walked to the nearby park and were coming back, he suddenly stopped and said, "You are so blessed." Out of no where. I was a young mother and life was nothing but a whirlwind then; now, I get it. I think I remembered that for a reason.. ❤
And, the deck is coming along nicely. I'll have to post the finished product. 🙂
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YES! ❤ ❤ ❤ Poor are those who never experience at least one of these feelings.
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It’s so true, Daisy. I think we experience some of them but sometimes, only in hindsight, realize their worth or value to our lives. I’m trying very hard to pay attention. Just be here. Right now. It’s hard to do sometimes. Have a wonderful day! 🙂
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For me it’s family, health and happiness.
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Yes, and I am so glad you stopped by to let us know. I fear we often take for granted those things that, when gone, we’ve only just realized how important and central to our well being they’ve been. Family. Health. Happiness. Fabulous. Have a great day, Amy. 🙂
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Thank you very much 😊
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What a lovely voyage through your life and the things that had meaning for you. Thank you for making me reflect on what i would include in the photo gallery of my life, all the things I’ve had that money can’t buy.
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You are most welcome. And, of course, after I hit “publish,” I thought of many more. How about dedicated teachers? How about my health? How about great conversation? And…the love of my life? There are so many photos I could have added, but I’ll just have to do a follow up post someday. I certainly have reason. Have a wonderful day! ❤
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