The other night Vince and I were watching a movie and a quote was used. “Don’t cry because it’s over; Smile because it happened.” In the movie, it was quoted from Dr. Seuss. That quote hit me because there are so many things in my life that instantly popped into my head.
First, I was so in love with a guy in college and it didn’t work out. I was really sad about it for a long time but, of course, got over it and realized I was better off that our paths went different directions. Years later I heard the Garth Brooks song “Thank God for Unanswered Prayers“. That song came out long after I was over the failed romance but the song made me wish I had heard it many years prior. So, when I heard the quote mentioned above, I was thinking of all the things in my life that have made me sad and wish things had turned out differently but, in almost all those cases, maybe ALL of them, instead of crying because of things that are over or didn’t happen, I need to smile and be thankful because of other things that happened because the other thing didn’t happen!
Second, for so many years of my young adult life, I wanted to have a baby. Tried lots of medical treatments and “experiments” and it never happened. Had it happened, I would haven’t Chad. Yes, if I had given birth to a baby and not adopted Chad, I would love that person but Chad was and is perfect for me. Add in Addie and Nicole and it couldn’t get any better!
The quote is probably more for someone who has lost a loved one. I think of my friend from Louisiana who lost her son to cancer less than a year ago. We all go through things that could and do make us sad and sometimes seeing the sad is easier than seeing the happy. It’s ok to be sad but sadness, in my opinion, shouldn’t consume us or last forever and sometimes, we have to search for the “happy” in a situation. Easy for me to say when I’m not the one grieving but I think this little quote is one I want to remember the rest of my days.
Anyway, after hearing that quote in the movie, I said “There has to be a cross stitch chart for that quote!” and went searching. I found a few but I ordered this one by Lizzie Kate.
Then I went searching to see if Dr. Seuss is really the one who said this and found out . . maybe not. Here’s the blurb on that. I still like the words and I’m thankful to whomever said it! And, I’m going to stitch that little chart and keep it front and center!
Pat Anderson says
Similar to the quote “There is ALWAYS something to be thankful for!” One has to train oneself to not dwell on the bad, but always look for the good. Sometimes it takes a while to see why God’ plan was/is perfect!
judy.blog@gmail.com says
That was one of the first pieces I stitched and it’s on our family room wall.
neilleann says
I love that saying. And I love Lizzie Kate. So once again I am being enabled to buy a chart and supplies for something to add to the pile!
Donna in KS says
I, too, will order this chart! It takes time but is so true. Now I look at pictures of husband and myself, he and others and think of the fun we had, activity when the picture was taken. I miss him but I’m coping better. The pneumonia that hospitalized me in January has still not let everything return to normal for me either but moving upward. And BTW, two tops just came back from my long arm quilter: one (finally) being the Shipshewana mystery quilt, designed by my personal favorite designer!
judy.blog@gmail.com says
Thank you! Glad you’re doing better. As we get older, it does seem harder to get over illness. I hope you continue to improve.