I took my daughter to the doctor today for what was thankfully an easily diagnosed and treated ear infection.
While there, I ran into a high school friend I haven’t seen in years. She asked if I had heard about another friend. A friend who I also haven’t seen in a long time, but whose Christmas cards I always look forward to.
She died suddenly a few days ago. She was 36, and no one knows what happened. She went to the hospital because of shortness of breath.
I came home and read her facebook page, and it sank in as I cried and cried.
She had four children, similar ages to mine.
I am confident that she is in heaven right now, but I grieve for her beautiful and innocent children and her loving, high-school-crush/sweetheart husband.
As I cried, all I wanted to do was stop time and treasure my family.
I can’t stop time, but I did treasure them.
I treasured them by sweeping the kitchen. By wiping down the counters. By making my bed with all of the beautiful pillows so my husband will feel welcomed when he comes home tonight.
I picked up their dirty underwear, and I straightened the living room.
Now, my sons will feel treasured when they return from school to a home that is welcoming and comfortable.
It may not be perfect, now or ever, but it is full of treasured moments.
How very sad. I'm so sorry.
Wow! I know this was a couple of years of ago but.. I'm sorry. I'm going to get back to cleaning my house now. That thought was a much needed splash of cold water on my face- Thank you! Now I am going to go treasure my family.
I’m sorry for your loss. Reading this post is very timely in my life. I too lost someone from high school just a few days ago to breast cancer. She was also 36 and had 2 small boys (3 and just under 1). While I wasn’t truly friends with her I knew her and many of my friends were very good friends with her. I mourned more than I thought I would. I still ache for her family. I cannot imagine the loss felt by her parents and her husband… not to mention the beautiful boys who will never know her. I so want to succeed in this endeavor for my family, whom I love above all else.