There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle. –Albert Einstein
From now on, I’m living my life as though everything were a miracle.
My 82 year old mother had cataract surgery today.
With both eyes afflicted, she could barely see.
Her biggest complaint was that she couldn’t read the newspaper. Hopefully after the second eye is done she’ll be able to read again.
My mother was glad the day had finally arrived for the surgery, but sad because in the past my father would have been the one taking her. My mother has had many health issues throughout her life and my father was always at her side for all her surgeries.
I wished my father were still here too. Life was much easier when he was able to calm my mother down before her surgeries.
While I was waited for my mother a man came out of surgery wearing the typical wrap-around pair of dark glasses. He sat down across from me. I got the distinct feeling that he was Greek as well. When his first words in our conversation were about “how wonderful the Greek eye surgeon was,” I knew I’d been right. We struck up a conversation.
One thing in our chat led to another until we got talking about which Greek Orthodox church we attended. I told him the one my family attended and he replied, “That’s a great church. I had a dear friend who went there but, he passed away a few years ago. He was an engineer.”
I immediately got so choked up I couldn’t speak for a moment. After a deep breath I said, “You mean?” – and I said my father’s name.
“Yes, yes,” he replied.
He gave me his name. He and my father had both been long time members of a Greek organization promoting Hellenism and education. After exchanging hugs, he started reminiscing about my father and what a wonderful man he’d been, which of course, was bitter sweet and quite emotional for me.
All the time in the back of my mind I was thinking, “Dad, you’re here. You didn’t let Mom down you’re here!”
By the time my mother came out of her surgery the gentleman’s wife had come to pick him up and they had left, not without sending their love to my mother though.
The first thing my mother said as we got in the car was that she felt the presence of my father while having her operation. While sedated she’d been having a conversation with him. When the recovery room nurse came to wake her the conversation was cut short, which upset her to no end.
“Now, I’ll never know what he was trying to tell me,” my mother lamented.
I felt so bad for her. I turned to look at her while I drove. She looked so small in the passenger seat. She’d shrunk quite a bit in the last few years since my father’s death.
“You know what Mom, it doesn’t matter what he was saying, ” I replied. “The point is, he was here with you today and he wanted us both to know it—and it was a miracle.”
There is only one way to live life and that’s as though everything were a miracle.
We can’t make sense of a miracle. We can only accept it and be grateful.
We rode the rest of the way home in silence, grateful for the simple miracle of “hello.”
Have you received a miracle lately? What happened?
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“There is only one way to live life and that’s as though everything were a miracle.
We can’t make sense of a miracle. We can only accept it and be grateful.”
What an amazing experience all 3 you had! There really are so many miracles that happen around us and I know I don’t always recognize them. I wrote out your words (above) and have it on my wall now to remind me.
Your story here, is another reason why we all must remain open. If you were too preoccupied you wouldn’t have had the conversation with the man – and I’m sure he needed to have that conversation as much as you did. Your father got to be with all of you that day.
So many miracles – we all just need to be present, open and aware.
Thank you for writing this 🙂
Aileen,
That’s it exactly. My father got to be with all three of us. It was amazing!
You’re so welcome.
Thank you so much for coming by and commenting!
I really truly believe that about life. I love the Einstein quote. That’s one of my favorites. What a wonderful thing to have someone with you in the waiting room who knew your father. And that your mother had the conversation with your father… amazing! I’m glad she made it through.
Hi Betsy,
Yes, I love that Einstein quote also! It was pretty miraculous. What are the odds that this man, who was my dad’s friend, would be having his surgery the same day as my mother? I feel my dad made his presence known through him and by speaking to my mother when she was under anesthesia. Thank you for you good wishes too. My mother is doing great!
OMG, Angela, that’s some story! Wow!
I also think it’s so wonderful you had that exchange with your mom and were able to reassure her that she didn’t have to get the “exact” message from your dad to get the heart message that it was wrapped in.
Thanks for sharing!
Hi Patti,
Thank you. Yes, that’s it exactly. The sentiment is all that matters. Words are not necessary.
Angela,
This was such a wonderful story to read – and to just really soak in this feeling of how miraculous every day is…and how blessed we are by the presence of loved ones in our life (…always…).
Hi Lance,
I’m so glad you like this short post. It was a marvelous day all around. I do agree – how blessed we are by the presence of loved ones in our lives. Thank you dear friend!
Hi Angela,
I came here via Julie – A Clear Sign. 🙂
I enjoyed reading your story. Looking for the miracle in everything is such a great practice because how easily we take things for granted and eventually we no longer see miracles.
Slowing down and connecting more with the wonder in all things that make up our lives is definitely the way to go. Thanks for the inspiration.
~Marcus
Hi Marcus,
I’m so glad you enjoyed this post. Julie is a doll!
Wonderful way to put it: Slowing down and connecting more with the wonder in all things that make up our lives is the way to go.
Love that!
I guess my question is, why would your mother conclude your father would ONLY talk to her at that moment? It’s not as though it’s like a phone call with collect charges or anything.
I’ll translate a little for her peace of mind. Basically, the message was, I’m still here in another form watching from the sidelines and trying to influence things as only spirit can. Grief is unnecessary.
I have a feeling that was pretty much it.
Thanks Joe Bill. I think you’re right!
Angela, thank you for sharing such a wonderful miracle also for recently visiting and leaving a comment on my blog post. It is always wonderful to find someone else who looks for and finds what I call everyday miracles – small miracles that happen in our everyday life without a lot of attention drawn to themselves but miracles still.
Hi Patricia,
It’s go great to have you visit.
I do believe in miracles. I also think if we look for them we will find them. I enjoyed visiting your blog very much!
Oh, I so loved reading this, Angela. I read the post in my email yesterday and feel all choked up, too. What a beautiful experience. You know, my Mom may have passed on, but I KNOW she’s here with me, especially when I am confused or upset. I am pretty sure I hear her voice soothing me, and when I am happy, laughing with me.
I think, after I started reading your blog regularly, my senses have heightened and I am more conscious about many things. I feel it in my increased tolerance of situations.
Thank you so much. Your new blog is great too and I am looking forward to receiving email updates from there as well.
I wish your Mom a speedy recovery. You are blessed to have each other.
Hi Vidya,
I know your mother is with you – absolutely. If you hear her voice or her laughing – it’s not in your head, it’s real.
I’m sure your senses have opened up too. All it takes is to become aware and then the other dimension will begin to reveal itself to you.
Thank you for visiting my new blog too. I so appreciate that.
Thank you for your good wishes for my mother too. She is doing great!
Thanks Angela,
I miss both my mother and father. I “speak” to them on occasion though I should make it more often.
be good to yourself
David
Hi David,
I’m so glad you speak to your parents.
They do hear you – even if you’re not aware of it.
Wow Angela,
I got goosebumps as I read about your father.
Yes yes yes Live life as though everything is a miracle. That is how I feel today as I have woken up feeling good and I wrote that I am a miracle the day I came out of hospital 2 weeks ago. Just love the quote
Thanks for sharing from your heart and send you mother love from dowunder. Your story reminds me of when Mum passed and Dad was by himself.
love
Suzie
Thank you Suzie!
I’m so glad you’re home again.
It’s my pleasure to share.
Wow, what a wonderful article. It’s always my favorite when bloggers share their personal stories. How interesting that you are able to understand intuitively about the Greek thing, and lo and behold that is the first thing that he mentions.
Your mother seems to have some psychic tendencies as well. Perhaps that’s where you get it?
Hi Fred,
Yeah, it was a real 20 hankie session!
My mother is very intuitive as well.
Hi Angela,
That’s a lovely miracle. It sounds so comforting to you as well as your mom to feel your father’s presence.
Hi Cathy,
Yes, it was a wonderful miracle. I feel very comforted by it.
Thank you so much for coming by and commenting Cathy.
Wonderful story Angela! Once again we are reminded that we are never alone. And if you stay in the present moment, you will be aware of the many miracles that are presented throughout the day. Prayers for a healthy recovery to your mom!
Thank you Debbie.
I’m so glad you enjoyed this post.
Yes, it’s so true. If we stay in the present moment we will encounter many miracles.
I appreciated your wishes for my mother’s speedy recovery.
Love it! Beautiful!
Thank you Sheila. I’m so glad you enjoyed this post.
I thank you for visiting.
This is such an uplifting story…thank you for sharing, Angela, and I wish your mum a speedy recovery. X
Thank you so much Cristina! I appreciate that.
I hope all is well with you and your new home.