By Brenda Cannon Henley
Amazing that three different little reminders have come to me in the last two days calling my attention once again to the fact that it is the little things that often mean the most. Perhaps you can attribute my newfound opinion to my age, the loss of my husband and many friends, my children growing up and now my grandchildren reaching adulthood, but I know for certain that I value and treasure the little things I once took so for granted.

Lisa Beamer, wife of Todd Beamer, who became a hero on the hijacked plane heading for Washington, DC, on 9/11, said on Good Morning America, “It is the little things I miss most about Todd.” She remembers how she always listened for the garage door to open when he came home from a day’s work. She said she loved seeing their children run to meet their dad at the end of the day.

In this interview, Lisa recalled this story: “I had a very special teacher in high school many years ago whose husband died suddenly of a heart attack. About a week after his death, she shared some of her insight with a classroom of students. As the late afternoon sunlight came streaming in through the classroom windows and the class was nearly over, she moved a few things aside on the edge of her desk and sat down there.

“With a gentle look of reflection on her face, she paused and said, ‘Class is over, I would like to share with all of you, a thought that is unrelated to class, but which I feel is very important. Each of us is put here on earth to learn, share, love, appreciate and give of ourselves. None of us knows when this fantastic experience will end. It can be taken away at any moment. Perhaps this is God’s way of telling us that we must make the most out of every single day.”

Lisa said that the teacher’s eyes began to water as she bravely she went on. “I would like you all to make me a promise. From now on, on your way to school, or on your way home, find something beautiful to notice. It doesn’t have to be something you see, it could be a scent, perhaps of freshly baked bread wafting out of someone’s house, or it could be the sound of the breeze slightly rustling the leaves in the trees, or the way the morning light catches one autumn leaf as it falls gently to the ground. Please look for these things, and cherish them. For, although it may sound trite to some, these things are the “stuff” of life. The little things we are put here on earth to enjoy. The things we often take for granted.”

Lisa said that the class was completely quiet. “We all picked up our books and filed out of the room silently. That afternoon, I noticed more things on my way home from school than I had that whole semester.”

She went on to say that every once in a while, she thought of that teacher and remembered what an impression she made on all of her students. “I try to appreciate all of those things that sometimes we all overlook. Take notice of something special you see on your lunch hour today. Go barefoot. Or walk on the beach at sunset. Stop off on the way home tonight to get a double dip ice cream cone. For as we get older, it is not the things we did that we often regret, but the things we didn’t do.”

I do know from personal experience that since Ted died, I have been more aware of the little things that bring joy. A certain flower will bloom and I will find myself amazed and grateful for its beauty. The water has always attracted me in a powerful way, but this year, is is magnetic and magical. I am in awe of God’s creation and I want to spend as much time as I possibly can outdoors or with the folks I love the most.

Cooking a tasty meal, even washing and putting away clean clothing, buying groceries, shopping for gifts, and other normal duties have taken on a new glow for me personally and seem more important. Last night on a walk around the neighborhood, I saw two bunny rabbits scampering in the grass, new flowers pushing their way through the soil, freshly caught red fish and trout, and a beautiful outdoor dinner spread on the deck of a home. It smelled wonderful. Kids were playing in a tree house their dad had built for their joy and the sound of the water hitting the shore all registered in my mind. I woke up this morning to the sound of the softly falling rain coming down.

I challenge you, our faithful readers, to find some of the little things to cherish this week as you go about day-to-day duties. Be grateful for the little things in life and share them with others as you make your way on your journey through life.

You can read Lisa Beamer’s entire story in the book, “Let’s Roll,” written after the attack.

(This article published 4/20/2015)

Brenda Cannon Henley can be reached at (409) 781-8788, at
[email protected], or by using the contact form below.

Contact Brenda Cannon Henley:
[contact-form-7 404 "Not Found"]