What will matter

Being in a wheelchair for these past 2 1/2 months, has given me a lot of time to contemplate my life and the things that are important to me. Since trips out are limited, I have learned that I can live without little things I have bought - just because I think it made me feel better. Not any other reason. Didn't really need it, husband is working so hard to pay my medical bills as well as keep up with the house and every thing else. I ran across this poem and think it is an excellent piece that summarizes things I have
been thinking about.


A Life that Matters

by Michael Josephson

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ready or not, some day it will all come to an end.


There will be no more sunrises, no minutes, hours or days.
All the things you collected, whether treasured or forgotten
will pass to someone else.

Your wealth, fame and temporal power will shrivel to irrelevance.
It will not matter what you owned or what you were owed.
Your grudges, resentments, frustrations
and jealousies will finally disappear.
So too, your hopes, ambitions, plans and to-do lists will expire.
The wins and losses that once seemed so important will fade away.

It won't matter where you came from
or what side of the tracks you lived on at the end.
It won't matter whether you were beautiful or brilliant.
Even your gender and skin color will be irrelevant.


So what will matter?
How will the value of your days be measured?


What will matter is not what you bought
but what you built, not what you got but what you gave.

What will matter is not your success
but your significance.

What will matter is not what you learned
but what you taught.

What will matter is every act of integrity,
compassion, courage, or sacrifice
that enriched, empowered or encouraged others
to emulate your example.

What will matter is not your competence
but your character.

What will matter is not how many people you knew,
but how many will feel a lasting loss when your gone.

What will matter is not your memories
but the memories that live in those who loved you.

What will matter is how long you will be remembered,
by whom and for what.


Living a life that matters doesn't happen by accident.
It's not a matter of circumstance but of choice.

Choose to live a life that matters.



© 2003 Josephson Institute of Ethics

My Surprise

I received my box from my Secret Pal for SP11. Was it wonderful!! I haven't been out to a yarn store since I broke my leg in mid October so I was yarn hungry!! Very! And my pal spins! So I was gifted with the most wonderful hand spun and dyed yarns. Plus a woven shawl in colors just for me. Fuschia and black. I have wanted to wear it, but temps have been record highs in the 70's. A book from my list, and a new knitting magazine - as I said I haven't been out shopping anywhere. Plus some other goodies. Pictures hopefully are coming! Thanks so much, It's a Secret!

A Winter quiz

I found this on Lil Knitters blog and thought it was so cute, I would share it here. I, like Lil Knitter, am a Snowman. Not sure why, I would rather be inside drinking the hot tea instead of outside in that cold wet stuff.

You Are a Snowman

Friendly and fun, you enjoy bringing holiday cheer to everyone you know!

What Christmas Ornament Are You?

Knitting patterns

I collect knitting patterns from the internet - hoping that somewhere in the night, my brain and hands will take over and mysteriously knit for me. I have hundreds - more than I can knit in a lifetime - even some I don't really like or need - like a truck - I don't drive a truck, my husband doesn't, I don't even know anyone that does. Could make one for either of my son's but they have about given up playing with trucks - they are 26 and 29! Soo all of this to say - I have found the perfect pattern to add after my last post - it is also called Slip and Slide! Perfect! Maybe make one to sit on so I don't slide in the shower again. Aahh a perfect idea. The pattern is on wonderful Maile's site of free patterns - she is a prolific pattern designer, with beautiful lacy designs. I am mesmerized by all of her patterns. But this one will have special meaning for me.