Life is Short

"Life is Short" We have heard it said, and we have said it ourselves.  This past month I have really been focused on that thought with the recent loss of my father and a couple of class mates from high school.  While, I am sad at the passing of my father I have such a great joy of the relationship I had.  My father was a very driven, honest hard working man.  I have seen his anger as well as his compassion. He was a die hard marine through and through. He taught me a lot about living and how to rise above adversity.  He taught me about being fare and honest and taught me how to love. 

Through his illness and life, I came to truly realize that I should never go without telling the people that I love, how much they mean to me. To always tell them I love them, even when  I don't feel like it. To encourage them, to lift them up when they are down. To spend quality time with them and to just love them. Love them for whom they are and never try to change them.

At his memorial service this month, I had the wonderful opportunity to hear stories upon stories about my father from his friends. I knew what a special man he was, after all he was my father. But, to hear and see what a special man he was to everyone else is a treasure. My father would let you know in a heart beat what he thought. He was a straight shooter and you knew where he was coming from.  Christina, my Dad's wife made a comment about my father and his feelings. I responded by stating " I understand that, I feel the same way. I guess I am my father's daughter and the apple doesn't fall to far from the tree." 

My eldest son John immediately commented " Tree.... Mom your the entire orchard....."   

It felt good to laugh under such circumstances. 

Remember, life is short, life is sweet, life is good beneath our feet. Go out be a shining example of what all life has to give us.  Remember your loved ones, here and gone. Remember to tell them you love them.  While I may miss my father here on earth, one day I will see him in heaven.  I Love you Dad.