Stop and smell the roses

Every once and a while you are just cruising on, going through life doing what you have to do. Then something happens that stops you dead in your tracks like you ran into a brick wall going 100 miles an hour, and makes you fall on your butt and you cant get up until you relaize what really matters in life.

The motto I have on the side of my page about living each day like you dont have a tomorrow to count on, came true for Jake's aunt. She passed away last Saturday, very suddenly and unexpected. I dont know why it's affecting me the way that it is, but its like a wake up call. They were planning a trip on Friday night, and she never woke up on Saturday. She had no idea anything was wrong. Now her husband and son are left dealing with her sudden death.

I cant stand thinking about what they are going through. She was one of those people you meet who really stand out in life for being an amazing person inside and out. She was just an awesome person...she'd do anything to help out someone who needed it. She genuinely cared about everyone.

I hope that in the future, my kids feel the same way about me, that hers did about her. He had so much respect for her and they were so close and important to eachother, and involved in eachothers lives.

It just reminds me that I need to do what my page says and really appreciate each day, because you really never know what could happen. I dont want to rush through life and not enjoy it because we are in a hurry to do _______ (fill in the blank). Yes, the laundry can wait, the dishes can wait, the floor can wait... but my kids will only be small for a little while- and I dont want to miss anything- My kids wont wait. They will gorw up no matter what I am rushing around doing, and then I will look back and feel horrible and wonder where the time went and wonder why we didnt appreciate it more. No more saying "Oh, we'll do that tomorrow or next week."  I am going to be more patient and not snap at them for little things that kids do.

What am I trying to say? I really dont know! Just take a minute to tell someone today, how much you love them or how lucky you are to have them in your life :) I have been thinking that,if that happened to me, would my kids remember me as the mom who was grumpy and strict...or as a happy mom who had tons of fun with them and enjoyed every minute with them...I dont intend to EVER find out...but will make damn sure it is the second one!