How easy is it to take anything, or everything, for granted? Friendship, love, health, wealth, food, shelter – and a bed to sleep in. These are just a few aspects of our local way of life; yet many folk are not able to take them for granted.

Daily we are reminded of people in this world, even in our own community, who are the victims of misfortunes entirely or principally not of their own doing. Of course, there are also many who, by their own actions, are destitute or discontented, even angry and friendless and financially distraught. It’s hard for me to be sympathetic for such people in self-imposed depression, and I am in awe of the volunteers and professionals who try to help them, many of whom, I suspect, have taken too much for granted….

I am grateful to be able to share some of my good fortune, my blessings, and my hard-won financial resources to alleviate some distress in our community. I learned frugality during my early, somewhat fragmented years which has been central to my adult life and which now allows me some flexibility in how I spend my remaining years. Building emotional and financial reserves has enabled me to ride the rough waves of the recent years when Alzheimer’s claimed the life of my dear Dorothy.

The mental and monetary reserves we build by our efforts can certainly be depleted quickly and we all learn to take nothing for granted. But always, in my case, the love and support of my extended family and good mates has endured and enabled me to weather life’s storms and stresses. Now in my later, single years, I can reflect and enjoy each new day and look forward to some fun tomorrow. How good is that!

So, dear reader, take heart: seize the day and love it. Make the most of your available resources, take nothing for granted and, importantly, don’t look back too hard, certainly not in anger!

“Carpe diem” is what the oldies said, and “sufficient unto the day”; so I try to keep those words in mind……