Random Thoughts...

It seems that we never truly appreciate what we have until it's gone. Although I know that sounds cliche, it's the absolute truth. Why is it that we don't recognize the amazing uniqueness of the people in our every day lives until we have to say goodbye?

Is it because we've grown so comfortable with them being there that we silently tell ourselves they'll always be there--that they'll never leave us?

My family has gone through a rough first half of the year trying desperately to hold on to those we love. And throughout all of the tough times, I feel that we have all grown in our appreciation of life itself and all the little things so many people take for granted.

I stop to smell the flowers now, instead of just walking past them. I take an extra few minutes to stop and watch the waves, instead of rushing past to get somewhere inconsequential.

I make an extra effort to call my loved ones, if only just to hear their voices and know they are OK.

I know that no matter how invincible we think we are or how we think we can hold on to people just by loving them, we have no control over dying. It's simply out of our hands. We are helpless. And maybe that's what makes us feel so vulnerable.

Whatever the reason we don't take the time or make the time, it's simply not good enough. If I've learned anything over the past 5 months, it is that I will never take another human for granted. I will never let them sit so comfortably in my life that they don't know how much they are truly LOVED.