A Ton of Bricks.

This has been a sad and stressful 2012 already. In the past month, we have lost 3 pretty amazing people in our circle of friends. A young husband and father married to our school nurse, whom I never had the pleasure of meeting; died from an unexpected illness. An elderly mother of a dear friend who fought for her life against the beast of cancer, and one old friend from grade school, who again, faced a brave war against the ugly tumors that took over his body. I have to say I cried at each passing. I cried for the young mother of 4 children left alone, and for the families who prayed helplessly and endlessly at the bedsides. And at each passing, like a ton of bricks it would hit me. I would hear over and over again...." how quickly life can change" "Here today, gone tomorrow" "Live each day like it is your last" "Do it today, you may not be here tomorrow" "take advantage of every opportunity, it may not happen again. " "who knows what tomorrow brings"

Tuesday night, I went to visit my mom at her Assisted living apartment. I'll admit I didn't want to go. It's about an hour drive from work. I was tired, I hadn't had supper and it was cold. I had a headache and a million excuses why I should just stay home, but Megan and I went to see her. Our conversation started out as usual. All the important stuff, what the latest doctor's appointment was, how hard rehab was, what was for dinner, who played cards, who won bingo.

We were having an interesting conversation about teenagers driving, or should I say their inability to drive, when we were joined by Joe. The conversation continued and quickly turned to a trip down memory lane for all of us. We talked about trips to Zanesville, and Missouri. Roadside rests and peanut butter jars. Car accidents, tickets, court rooms and judges. 10 kids in the back seat with no seat belts and one dollars worth of gas. Pink candies, nose bleeds, and stinky feet. Old cars, bad knees and clausterphobia. And Dad.

We were all laughing! As a matter of fact we were laughing and giggling so hard, Mom was crying, and laughing. Her belly shook like Santa's. The harder she laughed, the more she cried, and coughed, and... well, she's 86 years old, so we know what happens when she laughs!!!! The more she giggled, coughed and ...well, the more we laughed. It was hysterical and contagious and we couldn't stop it! It was a good time! When we finally gained our composure, and left for the evening, she started to laugh and giggle again... and thanked us for coming, and ..... thanked us for making her night!

As we walked down the hallway, sides hurting, cheeks sore, still smiling, happy that we made her night, it hit me, like a ton of bricks, " how quickly life can change" "Here today, gone tomorrow" "Live each day like it is your last" "Do it today, you may not be here tomorrow". "take advantage of every opportunity, it may not happen again. " "who knows what tomorrow brings"

And I was glad that I took that little bit of time out of my evening to visit, laugh and joke with my mom, my brother and my daughter, and of course, make my mom's night!

To Mrs Mountain, Michael and Alan; thank you for reminding me "how quickly life can change" and "to live each day as if it were your last" . May you all Rest in Peace.

Happy Blogging,
Becky