Happiness
is Actually Very Simple
MaryAnn
is my regular customer, she has visited my restaurant at least once a week for
the past few years. Sometimes, she is with friends and sometimes, she is alone.
Since a few years ago, she has come less often than before because of some
health issues. She has cancer and receives continuous chemotherapy. The
medication caused the skin of her hands to turn blue and purple, but despite
this, she always wore beautiful red nail polish. Every time I saw her, she was
dressed up beautifully, even when she was in a wheelchair. She always smiles
kindly and you simply can not tell she is a cancer patient. She always with
positive energy and I really like her optimism about life.
One day, I had a chance to sit with her when
she was alone, and we had a long conversation where I get to know her better.
MaryAnn was born in 1935. She got married right after she graduated high
school. After she married, she had produced five children. She never had a job
and stayed home with her children. Her daily routine is cleaning up the house
and preparing the food for the family. She always cooked incredible dinners for
her husband while he was busy with more important things. She also took full
responsibly in the education of her children, because her husband was busy
working to support the family.
MaryAnn has never driven in her life.
When she was in high school, her girlfriend took her out on a Saturday night,
and they almost got hit by a truck. Since then, she dared not drive
anymore, which made her never independent from her husband. Her husband passed away
twenty years ago. Her children take turns taking care of her. She has a few
good life-long friends, her friends used to take her out to shopping, dining,
and to bingo. Since they are all past the age of eight, they barely hang
out together. A few years ago, MaryAnn sold her house and moved to a nursing
home. She is happy to stay in the nursing home because she had her own suite,
and they take care her daily. When she plans go anywhere, they drive her.
I
asked her if there is anything that she regrets in her life. She laughed and
said that she had before, but not anymore. She said, “When you come to be my
age, you will understand health and happiness are the most important things. I
will enjoy every moment I have.” I learned what she cares about most is to live
her own life.
I
respect her very much, especially her optimism. Our life can not be always being
smooth, there are always various kinds of pressure and difficulties. We should
learn to face life with an optimistic attitude. All difficulties can be
overcome, and we must cherish our lives anyway. I love a quote from Omar
Khayyam, “Be happy for this moment. This moment is your life.”
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