Precious days

Kind of a rough weekend.  A friend of mine who has been fighting cancer for several years passed away on Friday.  She was a bad-ass lady.  Someone to admire.  I send her clients regularly.  In fact, I sent her a client just 4 months ago.  She made everything all better for clients.  How blessed we all are to have known her.  And way back when she started her first rounds of chemo, I, like many other friends, took dinner to her family.  I remember feeling terrible because I didn't actually cook them dinner.  Instead, I grabbed a meal from Central Market and took it to her house.  I berated myself and apologized profusely because I hadn't had time to make them a home-made meal.  Stephanie simply smiled at me in her care-free but wise way and said, "You're just like me.  Making yourself feel bad because you can't do everything."

Her words stuck with me through the years.  She was right.  Since then, I've tried to release some of the guilt I have imposed on myself because I am not able to "do it all."  Just a few words from a friend can change a person's perspective or even their life.  How amazing life is.

Needless to say, I've cried.  More than a few times.  And one of those times was when I was on the phone with my sister.  I simply broke down in sobs.  She was such a trooper to stay on the phone with me until we moved on to another subject (my casino injury - stay tuned for that story).  My heart aches for Stephanie's husband and three young boys.  She is a very special person and I'm sad that I won't see her for happy hour until we meet up in Heaven for the ultimate happy hour.

And then, not as close a relation but just as shocking, the local DJ, Kidd Kraddick passed away this weekend.  So suddenly.  Age 53. Not old.  I listened to him every morning on the way to work (and this summer is the first time I haven't listened to the show in the morning, because I'm not in my car dropping off kids and heading to work).  I laughed so often and loved starting my day like that.  I know I don't actually know Kidd (and Kelley, J-Si, Jenna, and Big Al), but it feels like I do.  Kind of like they are my friends that I hang out with in the morning.  I even would re-tell their stories and talk to my friends about the things that happened on the show.  So, it seems so strange to want to grieve his passing, but I do.  Chuck doesn't get it.  But, that's okay.  We're talking about my feelings here and not his.

With that, I'm starting my week on a bit of a low note, so I'm glad the kids are at day camp this week.  They love it and are exhausted when they get home, so I know I'll have a quiet day and evening ahead of me.

Sometimes, I think these things happen because God wants us all to wake up and remember how precious life is.  So, consider it done, God.  I get it.  Life is amazing and I'm going to recommit to living each day as I should.  Carpe diem, right?  Let's do this!

So, let me start by saying that I absolutely adore each friend that reads this blog (as well as all those who don't).  Whether we see each other occasionally, all the time, or even never, you all are precious to me.  You all have touched my life in some way.  And, I'm so grateful to know I have such wonderful friends out there. 

I hope you all know how much I love you.

Always.

Now, go seize the day!