How Irma Has Made Us Grateful

How Irma Has Made Us Grateful

Posted by Kimberly DeProspero in Blog Posts, Family 20 Nov 2017

What does it mean to have an attitude of gratitude?

 

It is that time of year when giving thanks is top of mind, and an attitude of gratitude means making it a habit to express thankfulness and appreciation in all parts of your life, on a regular basis, for both the big and small things alike.

 

If you concentrate on what you have, you always have more.

 

Hank and I are very grateful for so many things. First, your friendship and ongoing confidence in us and what we do. Knowing you see value in working with our team and continuing to trust in our services and advice gives us such gratitude.

 

We are so often asked how we are doing, we wanted to take this opportunity to share with you a little about our personal lives and how that relates to the season of giving, sharing, and gratefulness.

As many of you know, 6 years ago we purchased a home in the Florida Keys. We have slowly, but surely, poured our love into our home, remodeling and adding our personal touches, and transforming it into our “Happy Place”.  It really has been a place of pure joy, family gatherings, and wonderful visits with friends.

 

As recent as July of this year, Hank and I both commented on finally finishing all our remodeling and feeling that our Happy Place was just perfect…for us.

 

As we know with everyday life, nothing is or ever will be perfect. In September, Miss Hurricane Irma blew through with a vengeance, leaving her indelible mark on the Florida Keys. Having lived in South Florida for over 30 years, I am certainly familiar with hurricanes, including Andrew in 1992. What I have never experienced before is storm surge. In Irma’s case, 3-4 feet of it.

 

After we were finally able to get back on the Keys, most of the water had drained out of our home, but the destruction was extensive. We spent many days pulling out drywall and cabinets, throwing furniture to the front curb, and shoveling mounds and mounds of seaweed into large piles. We could never have accomplished this without dear friends and my boys. It was heartbreaking, sad work, but we knew we had to get it done to avoid the spread of black mold. Our neighbors were in the same predicament, and we all pitched in and helped each other put in 12+ hour days with no power or air conditioning.

 

When we think about our Keys neighbors who live there year-round, we realize how fortunate we are. The attitude of gratitude of so many that have lost everything is AMAZING. We continue to hear “it is just stuff”, and it is just stuff!

Being planners, we are prepared for devastating events in our lives. We often moan and groan about what we pay for our combined insurance premiums each year. We also hope to never have to use most of our insurances but when we do, how grateful we are to be able to afford the premiums and be covered. So many cannot.

 

When we have a tragic event occur, we tend to look at our lives differently. We realize very quickly what is important, what is of value, and what matters. I know for me, I am moving through my days with refocused intention rather than just doing. I am concentrating on feeling grateful, and how I can make a difference in the lives of others. Isn’t that what it’s all about.

 

No matter how much money you have, what we all really need and want is love, family, friends, and gratitude each day. These are the things which have true, lasting value.

 

Thank you for being part of our family.  We are so grateful!