Some of my strongest memories of my grandmother are of her dignity in the face of her disability. For years she suffered from pulmonary fibrosis, and could only walk, at most, within a couple of blocks of her apartment, yet I don’t ever remember her complaining. She simply made a full and rewarding life out of what was left to her.
—Olivia Fermi about her grandmother Laura
I just finished Laura Fermi‘s book, Atoms in the Family, about her life with the famous physicist Enrico. The quote is in the afterword by her granddaughter, and I love it because it reminds me of one of my favorite sayings,
Doing the best we can with what we have left.
It helps to be flexible and creative.
June 13, 2021
what a lovely post about accepting what Is with grace.
things could always be worse.
🙂
Yes, it does help to be flexible and creative. Life can be rewarding if we accept the limitations we have and make the most of what we have.
🙂
If only more of us could be like she was…
Commitment and practice.
What a wonderful attitude to have!!! I hope I could respond with the same grace and courage when faced with life’s challenges.
It seems to me we all have little or greater challenges in our everyday life. Plenty of chances to practice.
The older I get, the more that mean to me. Thanks!
Also, that Dan is one fine photographer!
I think of your mother.
Like the lyricist wrote, “You’ve got to AC-centuate the positive and E-liminate the negative…..”.
This book has piqued my curiosity. Have you read any of Peggy Pond Church’s books?
Yes, The House at Otowi Bridge. I loved it.
I just said to someone this last few days “maybe it’s the best it will be…” in regards to health issues that “yep, I’m adapting to some of it” “slowly…
It will be what it will be, assuming we do the best we can to keep our health. Don’t fret about things we have no control over.
I am doing what i want to do for my time left and trying to stay healthy enough to do that. for some reason on word press, my name and STUFF is not saving, it saves for a while and goes away. makes me so mad to have to fill in before i post this comment. not just yours, on all wordpress.
I’m sorry about that! I haven’t been having that trouble, and you shouldn’t have to log in after the first time you’re approved. It makes blogging a lot less friendly and fun.
My grandma was much the same. She had terrible arthritis and a heart condition but she never complained about it. She was always cheerful, always cracking jokes and was great fun to be with.
It’s great to know people like that.
It’s a great philosophy.
🙂