Life Is Short

It's a cliché we hear all too often and usually under casual circumstances. "Life is short. Eat dessert first." It's fun and playful to say. We don't really think about how short life is until tragedy strikes and the reality of the saying rings true and hits close to home.

Last week, we learned the hard way that life is short when my sister-in-law passed away suddenly. Nothing feels quite like a freight train has hit you like news like that. We were rocked to our cores. Shocked and speechless, you're glad your body breathes on it's own because if you had to think about making the effort to do it, it wouldn't happen.

She was like a sister to me. She welcomed me with open arms from the very beginning. She showed me all around a town that was new to me and shared her favorite spots with me and suggested some I might like that she wasn't necessarily fond of. We shared bits and pieces of ourselves over lunch and coffee dates. We both loved cats and Starbucks.

She had a candid way of telling it to you like it was. She didn't mince words, and I was always grateful for her candor. We need more people like her in our lives...people with hearts of gold who are genuine and authentic. She lived her life true to herself.

She'll be missed by everyone who knew and loved her. Holidays won't be the same without her. My text message stream won't be the same without her. She was truly one of a kind. I hope you are lucky enough to have someone like that in your life.

Whenever these things happen, we tell ourselves we'll slow down and savor the moments. We'll be more present and we won't take time or people for granted. But then life gets in the way, and soon we are back to our old ways. My sister-in-law's death has had a profound effect on me. She was a peer, not a parent or a grandparent. She wasn't old and sickly. She was seemingly healthy and vibrant. And in a moment her life was over. It's been a lesson for me to live life to its fullest, not just the big moments but the small ones too.

Ironically, the day after my sister-in-law's funeral, I heard this song by Death Cab For Cutie. It's about losing a loved one, and it's so insightful and earnest. I literally haven't stopped listening to it since I heard it.

So today, tonight, and tomorrow, hug someone a little longer and a little tighter. You'll be glad you did. ❤️