Barbara J. Hamby

Appreciation

I’ve noticed that my appreciation of certain experiences has been heightened by either losing them temporarily, or nearly losing them permanently.

Several years ago, after a bleeding ulcer slowed me down, I gave up drinking coffee and other caffeinated beverages. Recently, I began drinking one cup of coffee a day and I truly enjoy each swallow. I know that in the days when I drank six to ten cups per day, I never enjoyed any of them as much as I do the one a day now.

Several times in my lifetime I’ve had illnesses that made me wonder whether or not I’d recover. Each time I did, I became more appreciative of my life, at least for a while. Now that I’ve made it to 80, I realize how fortunate I am and I’m very glad to be here.

Now if I can just survive all these late nights watching figure skating, maybe I’ll make it to 90, or at least to the next Olympics.