Hello, Life

The flight and hotel were booked. The countdown had begun. Vacation was right around the corner, and with it a bit of carefree, unplugged time. Tonight, we were going to be making some last-minute travel plans to Washington, D.C. for a long, relaxing weekend.

But life came along and happened, like it is wont to do. And while it has surprised me, it has inspired me, yet again.

We had a death in my family overnight last night. It was a passing that, while saddening and upsetting for us all, is one that will give that person peace, rest and wellness. As these things do, the situation today reminded me of how precious life can be. This is my third funeral this year. While each was caused by different and individually upsetting situations, I can't help but realize the similarities. We sit here and go through each day, minutes flying by while we are at our desks or with our kids or traveling through the airport. We shake it off when we haven't talked to our closest friends in days, or when weeks fly by without a call to that aunt or cousin. Every day, we might even forget to send that little email reminder or text with some love, or give that quick hug goodbye or hello.

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Life comes back and reminds us.

Bless you Delta for rerouting our flights from D.C. to Queens instead for this weekend so that we can be there for one of those bittersweet family reunions that really only come with funerals or weddings. I will be seeing relatives I only see a precious few times a year, plus others I only see every few. As small and as tight as our sides of our family are, even then distance can play a role. For these life events, we come together as a unit, celebrating life's future and memories all at once.

Signing off for a few days, friends, but I will be back! I have uplifting thought of Fall, and of friends, and of festiveness. Life's visit to me this week has made me realize all over again how important those things really are :)