A heavy heart

This really doesn't have anything to do with my bucket list, but there is something weighing heavy on my heart that I have to get out.

A friend of  my sister and mine from high school with passed away suddenly this week.  She was 36 and a divorced mom of 4 sweet girls.  She had a sparkling personality, and truly made a conscious decision in her life to always make lemonade out of lemons.  Although the last year had been hard for her (going through the divorce and learning to become a single mom,) she always had a great outlook on life, and enjoyed every minute she had with her 11, 8, 6 and 4 year old girls.   She constantly commented on how blessed she was to have the girls in her life.

To me, her passing was heartbreaking in so many ways.  Her girls are now left without a mommy. Her mother is now left without her daughter.  The many friends that loved her and got joy from being around her were left to wonder, "Why?"  Although I feel like God has a plan for us, it is really hard to see what it could possibly be in this case.

To those around her, we are also left to confront our own mortality.  If someone so young and healthy could become sick and pass so suddenly, it could happen to any of us.  We see her in us, and her children in our children.  Are we prepared for that happening?  Do we have measures in place that would protect our loved ones if this were to happen in our lives?  Have we said what we would have wanted to say to those around us?  Have we done all of the things in our lives that we would have wanted to do?  Why not?  What are we waiting for?

The reality is, every day in life is a gift.  We have to take advantage of every single day.  As cliche as it sounds, you have to live every day like it is your last.  Tell the people in your lives that you love them. Make memories today.  Tomorrow is not guaranteed.

Rest in peace Melissa.  Know that you have touched people near and far with your sweet spirit.  Know that those around you will continue to shower the love and support that you would have wanted on your girls.  Know that you will be immensely missed. 

And to those who knew and will miss her- honor her memory.  Live your life with no regrets.  Remember to be grateful for what you are given.  Make lemonade out of your lemons.  And know that there is a new angel in heaven looking down upon all of us.