Everything is ephemeral.
Joy and laughter. Pain and suffering. Trials and tribulations. Love. It’s all fleeting.
I tell myself, “It’s only temporary” at least a half a dozen times a day.
At first, it was self talk I used to get myself through difficult situations. Nothing lasts forever, neither will this.
When Calvin was sent home on hospice earlier this year, I turned my life upside down to care for him. I told myself, “It’s only temporary.” I had no idea just how *temporary* that would be.
As I’ve wandered further down my caregiving journey, I discovered there’s more to my mantra than I originally thought:
This *moment* is only temporary.
Now, instead of talking myself through hard times by focusing on the end, I have to live in the moment right now and do my best to make it the best moment it can possibly be. Enjoy and savor the sweet times I have with the people I care about, doing the things I love. I learned those are the moments I will just miss, and miss OUT ON, the most if I focus simply on surviving.