You never know when it is your time, but it sure doesn’t seem fair when someone is
taken away far too early. You feel like you just aren’t finished with that person, there is so much left to do, to explore, times that you still need to laugh and cry with them. You question why? You wonder if something more could have been done. You are mad and sad at the same time. So many feelings swirling around in your mind and you try hard to make sense of it. But you know what? Sometimes you just can’t make sense of the situation and that is so frustrating.
Today, I heard about a 49-year-old woman that was diagnosed with cervical cancer a month ago and today she passed away. It came as a shock to hear this news. I don’t know the family personally, but my husband works closely with her husband and his heart hurts for him as does mine. So, as I sit here today to write this post, I can’t help but think this could be me or anyone I love in the blink of an eye. The plain and simple truth 
is that life is short. You’re here one minute, then gone the next. Over these past 13 years that I have been dealing with my Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis, I have learned that time is fleeting and that I don’t know what tomorrow will bring, but I still have thought that there always IS a tomorrow on the horizon for me. Even though I have spent days, weeks, months and years putting things off or taking advantage of opportunities that arise when I don’t feel well, because “there’s always tomorrow”, but now I am left questioning this. Am I sure there will be a tomorrow for me or for my loved ones? Hearing things like this 49-year-old woman who is now gone makes me rethink this whole philosophy that there is always tomorrow. I’m not talking about for vacuuming, I’m talking about for the big, meaningful things. Why does it have to take tragedies, losing a loved one, near death experiences, serious illnesses, to open our eyes that we need to start living our life like there is no guarantees of tomorrow? The sad thing is that some people never see the reality of this before its too late.
When my time comes, will I be proud of my accomplishments? Would I be happy with the way I conducted myself? Have I touched someone’s life in the way that was positive and uplifting? Right now, I can come up with a few areas that I need to improve
upon. I need to not procrastinate, stop being negative, stop being pessimistic. Start doing, start enjoying, and start living with urgency. Life is too short to hate. Life is too short to not go on those trips and make some memories with the people you love. Life is too short to not see a Garth Brooks concert. Life is too short to not go camping with the grandkids. Life is too short to not ride our RZR on every back road we can find. Life is meant to be lived! Enjoy those moments, take them in. Breathe deeply and fully. Savor them!
So, I need to take advantage of every day that I am given to try and live it in a way I will 
feel most proud. I need to stop worrying about all the things that really don’t matter and the things I can’t change. I need to make sure I live each day in a way that my family and friends always knows how much I care about them and how important they are to me. I need to continue to try and reach out and help others when I can. I need to be kinder to others and to myself. I need to sing and dance more. I need to live well.
I’m not waiting for another tragedy or disaster to strike, this is my turning point.
As Mark Twain has said, “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do, so throw off the bowlines, sail away from safe harbor, catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore, Dream, Discover.”
I am in tears now after reading this blog post on a Monday morning. You made me cry. I know what it’s like to lose a loved one and you think I wish we’d just done that one more thing together, I wish I’d known they were going and every time you do something you think of them and how much they would have enjoyed it.
I get it, I have so many regrets about the time I spent with my mom when she was suddenly taken from us at the age of 42. It’s heartbreaking and I am so sorry you have lost loved ones too. And sorry I made you cry on a Monday morning! Hugs to you ❤️
I am so sorry to hear you lost your mother at such a young age. Would you like to join my group for people experiencing grief and loss? I’m not exactly sure how to set it up as I live in Australia on the other side of the world but I know that Christmas will be a very difficult time of year for me and I was hoping to meet other people who’d also lost loved ones.
Sure, that would be great! Thank you xo
Maybe via Skype of Facebook chat. I don’t know how to use it anyway. I’ll somehow beam you in.
This is unfortunate but true. It sometimes take a tragic situation to help us wake up and open our eyes. I will be praying for her husband, so that God may comfort him during this difficult time and help him get through these painful days. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you so much. Every prayer will help xo
The power of prayer is incredible – amazing, God hears each and every one of them.
You are so right! Sometimes we wait too long to enjoy our lives! Why does it take a tragedy to open our eyes? Your post was a true wakeup call for anyone who needs to live a life more fulfillingly. Thank you for this amazing post! God bless you and your family! I am praying for you all! 🤗🙏
Thanks Christy! I appreciate your prayers and thank you for reading! Xo
My pleasure!
great post.
you are such an inspiration.
blessings
Thank you so much for your kind words ❤️
In my tradition when death comes, we thank it for revealing the truth about what really matters in life. This post is a true celebration of that.
Thanks so much for your kind words and wisdom ❤️
So young for someone to pass, I’m so sorry for your loss. Each day is a gift.
Thank you! You are right about every day being a gift!
Thank you for these fine ideas. Life can indeed disappear in just a second. A car may run you down as you cross the street, your heart may fail you, an ailment you thought not worth worrying about may be fatal.
When or if you can change the way you live, and you focus of the truly important things in life, you can go on to live a better life than you had realised possible! I found my diagnosis with MS, eight years ago, lead me to a better understanding on what was most important to me in my life, and I’m loving the life I know have! MS may slow me a little, but it won’t stop me!
I love that you have found the silver linings to your diagnosis as have I! I know how easy it can be to fall into a dark space when dealing with a life changing diagnosis, and I know that a positive mindset isn’t going to miraculously make it disappear but I believe that we can help ourselves heal with a change of our headspace and self talk! Thanks so much for reading today!
Each day is a gift …you and your readers may enjoy this post on the topic
https://reallifeofanmsw.com/2016/06/03/what-are-you-waiting-for/
So very true! Thanks for sharing that link, it’s a great read and something to think about!