Jimmy's Grand Life

"I love life because what more is there.." ~Anthony Hopkins

His name is Jimmy B. That is how I will refer to him at least. I met him in the nursing home recently. But first an explanation.

My mother-in-law lives in the Golden Living Center in Foley, Alabama. We moved her there from Mesa, Arizona a couple of months back after her husband passed away. This places her in the same town as a daughter of her's and also closer to more family members.

Its a nice place and we thoroughly enjoyed a New Year's holiday weekend visit with her. While the weather was rainy and cold, sitting with my mother-in-law kept us warm and happy.

The facility itself has residents of many varying conditions. Some would call nursing homes depressing but I find them full of people with stories. Stories that tell an interesting piece of life. And these people are the perfect narrators of how great life really can be.

As you walk through the halls, people are in their wheelchairs and I always smile and say hello to each of them. Most reveal a huge smile in return. One particular gentleman is named Jimmy B. as I later found out.

One afternoon, all of us went to sit near the front door and Jimmy was there. So I sat next to him and decided it was time for a chat. The whole scene kind of reminded me of stories I've heard the author Andy Andrews tell in his various books.

The story Jimmy told me was full of the various family issues. He told of the sister, the step-brothers, the step-sisters and moving around the state of Alabama. There was heartache at losing family to accidents and deaths of varying kinds.

He told me of joy when speaking of his mother. He told me proudly of his service to the City of Foley, Alabama. He told me that life was grand.

Jimmy was a big man,and one that I could guess would have carried anything for you. As strong as he looked, he could probably carry most anything. But the biggest thing he carried was his optimism of how great life is.

Now you can try to figure out what was so great about his life. To some it may seem it was not much of a life. But to Jimmy, it has been the biggest and grandest life. To me his life is great and grand as well.

Life is what we make of it and to reach a distant point in years and be able to say life is pretty great says a lot about you. Your attitude about your life goes a long way in determining the life you get.

I really do wish for each of you in 2011 that you find the grand life that Jimmy has found.