Wednesday, September 22, 2010

an important reminder

 

My mother holding me when I was just a baby - 1960, Los Angeles, CA



Me and my father at a college Father-Daughter Dance - 1978, Buena Vista, VA


I don’t know if it’s just my age, or if things are truly different than they used to be, but…and I know everyone dies, but….when I was 20, even 30…I thought “old” people died. Like, 70-year-old people. I feel like in just the past few years so many people that are my age, and even younger, have died. Suddenly. People in seemingly good health. Active people. Happy people. Boom. Dead. Heart attacks, aneurisms, strokes – things that can seem to come out of nowhere and just…change worlds. In an instant.

A parent of a student at the school where I work. She was right about my age, no known significant health issues. And in an instant, she was gone. Leaving behind a devastated family – a husband and two teenage children. It’s heartbreaking.

And it reminds me how tenuous life is. How what can seem stable…is not. It reminds me to just love the heck out of those special people in your life. Take care of relationships. Appreciate people. Be nice. Enjoy the beauty in the world around you. We’re all here for such a short time.
Make good use of it. Don’t waste it.

These are my parents, who both died suddenly (not together). There are so many things I regret not saying or doing when they were still alive. This is a reminder to you today, to be extra nice to those you love…and even to a stranger on the street. There may not be another opportunity.

11 comments:

  1. A timely reminder and a very sweet post Miss Bettye.

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  2. A wonderful post, Bettye -- thanks!

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  3. I thought the second photo was of Katie!

    Jayne

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  4. Ha, no, that's me. That was my sr prom dress recycled for the Father Daughter Formal the following year. I was 18. Sigh.

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  5. oh fancy indeed!
    what a delightful post!
    splendid! x

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  6. The photos of you are gorgeous. The message is clear too. My mom died unexpectedly and everyday I think of something I wish I had told her, asked her or done with her. I've really been reaching out to my DH, kids and grandkids. The sand in my hour glass is rushing out.

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  7. Beautiful advice from a beautiful person. Thank you. <3 Love to you, today and every day!

    -Cat G

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  8. Good post Bettye - and a good reminder. We're not promised tomorrow. I just finished a cross stitch - "Cherish Yesterday, Dream Tomorrow, LIVE TODAY"

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  9. Beautiful photos and a bittersweet post. I lost my father when I was 6 years old, but I still have my Mama. I thank God daily for her. Blessings!

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  10. Amen! I needed to hear this today, thanks. :)

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