Saturday 30 April 2016

Reminded That Life Is Short. Don't Take it for Granted or Waste a Minute of It!

Today I was reminded once again how life can change so quickly

It has been a very sad day.



I'm sitting here thinking how important it is to find your joy, and live each day to the fullest, and never take friends, family and life for granted. I'm once again reminded that the people around us are what makes life special and full.

I woke up to read that a follow Ottawa blogger had passed away. We weren't close friends, and although we had met in real life, the majority of our interactions were on-line. Still, I felt a connection with her, united by mutual friends, location, age, and life experiences as bloggers, as women, and as moms. I got a glimpse of her true spirit, and the type of person she was through her social media shares (I call them smile-makers) of her day, dog, coffee, and her obvious love of her family. 

Her positivity and zest for life was so evident. Those smile-makers touched me, and no double many many others. I think she made a conscious choice to share happy and positive, and that she knew this would inspire others to find the good and happy and positive in our lives and focus on that. 

I wonder how she found the strength to do this. How do you deal with the news that your entire life is about to change. How does one fight the good fight, and stay positive, and maintain some control, when so much is out of your control? How do you make every moment count and live in the moment, while thinking about a future you might not be a part of? How do you fast track a lifetime of lessons, insights, words of wisdom and I love yous.

I'm brought to tears just thinking about my own kids going through all those important and defining moments yet to come without their biggest reality checker, lecturer, champion and cheerleader there to provide support, love and the occasional shoulder to cry on. I'm brought to tears thinking of her family now coping with such a huge loss, and the overwhelming task of moving on and finding joy. 

I was taken by surprise by the news that she had passed away. Her word for 2016 was Joy. The optimism of that post leaves me both heartbroken and inspired to try to emulate her by looking for and sharing happy, positive, good and joy. She was young damn it! Several years younger than me! She was a writer with so many more stories to tell. 

At the end of this reflection I'm left with this. No matter how crazy my kids drive me, I'm here to be annoyed. No matter how grumpy my husband is, I get the opportunity to tell him so. My family still gets to benefit from my advice and words of wisdom whether asked for, or wanted. We're blessed to be able to live in the moment, live life to it's fullest, find our joy, spread happy and positive, and show and tell our loved ones that we love them every day.

I thought I was finished this this post, but it turns there was more sad news to come. As I finished the paragraph above I received a text that from a friend telling me someone I have known for more than 20 years passed away a few weeks ago. Our families had lost touch, but before that for years there was a group of friends that experienced university, marriage, buying our first homes, and the adventure of having kids together. I am shattered and heartbroken. There won't be a chance to reconnect, reminisce, hear him laugh, and see that smile. That warm happy smile that always had just a bit of mischief in it. I am heartbroken for his wife and kids, his sisters and his parents. I am just heartbroken.

Life is short, so don't take it for granted or waste a minute of it! 

Yep, just me Cathy reflecting out loud about life, love, family and loss. 

7 comments :

  1. Such a sad day. Life is short and we must make the best of it while we can. You never know if tomorrow will come. I'm sorry for your losses Cathy. Xo

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    1. Thank you Alyssa for taking the time to read. It really is a reminder.

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  2. Excellent message, and one we need to be reminded of often. It seems it takes someone dying to wake us up and remind us to not neglect our relationships. Usually we do better for a while after someone passes away, then we too often return to our old 'taking things for granted' ways. I'm very sorry to hear of your losses.

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    1. Agreed that the reminder never lasts long enough and sadly it takes something thing like this to make us realize how blessed we are. I hope to do better and appreciate the opportunity I have to be with and connect with my family. Thank you so much for reading and taking the time to comment. It is much appreciated. It really is.

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  3. Im very sorry to hear of your loss! You truly never know what tomorrow will bring - live life to the fullest daily and love hard!

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    1. True indeed. We have an opportunity today, and I hope to do better about appreciating it and take advantage of that opportunity to let my family know how special they are to me. Thank you for reading and commenting. I know we are all busy with our lives so it is much appreciated.

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  4. I am sorry for your loss Cathy. Thank you for the reminder not to take my friends and family for granted.

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