Family Tragedy

Last Monday (February 12th, 2007) my Uncle John suffered a stoke, and he passed away on Wednesday, February 14th, 2007. This afternoon, February 20, 2007, my family is attending his funeral.

I wanted to tell all of you reading this to spend AS MUCH TIME WITH YOUR LOVED ONES AS YOU CAN. If you are spending a lot with them now, spend even more. If you cannot see them very much, call them, e-mail them, even write them if that's the only way you can contact them. Let them know how much you love them. You don't know how much it means to them.

Do these things with them more than you used to: tell them you love them, hug them, kiss them, laugh with them, do things you enjoy together, be silly, have fun.

Do these things less than you used to: argue, cry, get mad, hold grudges, slam doors, yell, walk away, stay away, ignore them, go to bed mad.

Don't EVER take the time you have with anyone you love for granted. Cherish each and every second you have with them. Be grateful for every little breath they breathe. This has been said SO many times, but over the past year I have learned that it is SO true but I must add a bit more: live every day like it's your last, and spend as much time as you can with your family, because you don't know who you've got until they're gone. It can happen in an instant, without warning.

You'll still have your spats and your rough times, but these are the people you love, and who love you the most, and who you will do anything for, and who will do anything for you. Take time out of every day to remember how much you love them.

I am sending my love and hugs out to Fran, Ida, John, Priscilla, Frank, Heather, Jonathan, Kaitlyn, Avery, Trysha, Hailey, Sarah, Jasmine, Erin, Quinn, Frankie, Andrew, Sophia, Curtis, Chloe, and Kayla. I LOVE YOU ALL!

I'm sorry if I missed anyone! You know I love you!