This Short Life
@gnatsmom (2336)
September 30, 2017 11:53pm CST
I can not get over how much our family has changed in the past 3 years. My mom has 3 siblings. My mother-in-law has 3 siblings. Today, my mom is all that is left of the four of them. Yesterday, my mother-in-law and their family buried the first of the four of them. My husband preached the funeral of his aunt yesterday. I can remember, vividly, family reunions on both sides of our family, where all the aunts and uncles and cousins were gathered. Now, most of them have either passed or are too sick to attend. It just makes me think how short life it. My daddy is not in good health, my mom has dementia, my mother-in-law is disabled, and my father-in-law is slowing down. I rarely see any family outside of my brothers and my kids and grandkids.
I am torn. I want to spend more time with those I don't see, but I can't do all of the going. Most of the others do not want to leave their little part of the world and never come to visit. It would be nice if life was simpler. Oh well, we have to make the best of what we have. I want to make the best of every moment with each friend and family member that puts forth effort and tries to stay in touch.
Even if one lives to 80 or above, this life is still brief. I love the song by super chick with these lyrics:
"We live, we love, we forgive, and never give up
Cause the days we are given are gifts from above
and today we remember to live and to love"
Remind your friends and family of how much you love them. If there are some who put forth no effort in the relationship, don't dwell on it to the point you miss out on the good times. Hug your loved ones and let them know how you feel.
**pictured is our family with my parents and my husband's parents 3 years ago at Easter. My grandson had not been born yet, so he's the only one missing.
4 people like this
4 responses
@prashu228 (37526)
• India
1 Oct 17
Yes, i feel very sad when i think of all these things.. life is very short..
1 person likes this
@peachpurple (13884)
• Malaysia
1 Oct 17
yes, it reminds me that my mom has stroke and dementia, my dad has high bp and tinnitus, my brother has diabetes, my mother in law has arthritis and my father in law had laid to rest, I should spend more time with them and pray for their health every day
1 person likes this
@Alabjo101 (2)
•
1 Oct 17
Make it a goal to tell each and every one of them how much you love them every single time you leave. Don't set yourself up for regret. Hug a little tighter and
cry a little deeper but be content knowing that the family that you have knows they are loved at the end of the day. It's okay not to be okay - loss is not okay. Lots of loss all at once is not okay. Make sure first and foremost that you're on the path to healing, and from there, make time for your family but also carve a little bit out for yourself as well. If they won't reach out, then extend your hand a little bit further. At the end, you won't regret putting forth too much effort, but you would regret not putting forth enough.
1 person likes this
