The first post I saw in my Facebook feed today was that of a friend with her son, appearing to be about six years old or so, with a note of how she misses him… and how he is with the angels now. It was a changing moment in my life… as this immense sense of gratitude swelled up in me that my child is still alive.
As the day went on, sobering message after message came. My daughter’s friend messaged me, asking for help. You see, her mom passed away yesterday. She is a college student and so are her two sisters… and they have no way to pay for her mother’s services. If you would like to contribute or share a link for others to contribute to help these angels, please go here.
Somehow I felt the need to just be in my daughter’s presence. To hold her tight. To tell her how much I love her; how proud I am of the beautiful young lady she has become. She has far exceeded any expectation I could have had in how my child would turn out in this world. Having her as my child is such an amazing blessing. I could write for years about the joy she brings to my life and the life of so many others.
We went to the carnival and played cards and I laughed so hard that my belly hurt. Hearing her laughter has always been some of the best music I have ever heard.
As I logged in to Facebook tonight to post my daily gratitudes, the first post I saw this evening was that a dear friend of mine just lost his son. This is a man that I love with all of my heart. He is one of the most kindest, most caring and protective individuals I have ever had the pleasure and blessings to know. I would do most anything for him.
As I light a candle for his son, and for the mother of my daughter’s friend… I am reminded of how short life can be. How quickly everything can change in the blink of an eye. I am reminded to reach out to every single person I love. Not on Facebook and not in text, but with the sound and vibration of my voice; with the comfort of my touch and presence… to let my loved ones know that I love them; that I’m grateful for their presence and influence in my life.
What would happen? If you woke up tomorrow and your loved one was gone? Just… gone? What message would you have wish you would have said? Or not said? Would you wish you would’ve told him or her how amazing s/he is? What about the most moving moment you shared with this person, would you take the time to go out of your way to express your gratitude? Tell him or her how grateful you are for their presence in your life? Apologize for any wrong-doings or mis-understandings? Share how proud you are of him or her? What message is left unsaid, right now today, to the most important people in your life? And to the people who need to hear what you have to say? I urge you, this moment, some how; some way… let these people know how you feel. There may not be another chance.
Today, I humbly express my gratitude that I still have that chance with most of the people who mean the world to me. To those that don’t, may God hold you and keep you and surround you with mountains and oceans of love.
Jodi Ana