Don't Blink....

It is so much simpler giving advice to others that it is to listen to advice from others.  So much easier to see what is, looking at another's situation that looking at our own.  Advice I would give to another, but would never assume to allow myself to see the value of.  There have had many tragedies in the lives of my kids and myself lately with accidents and losing those they love.  

My oldest daughter and her husband had some amazing friends that they became friends with in college and had remained friends.  Finding each other and getting married, starting their journey as a new family and dying together in a rollover accident.  Both gone in an instant. 

Newlyweds Die In Car Crash

Another friend of theirs, a loving father and avid mountain biker riding one day on an easy mountain ride with a friend, was found down a slight embankment that should not have even posed a problem, yet he also has graduated through the veil. 



Lastly and most close to my home was my little Bella.  She was actually my youngest daughters dog, but she became mine when Krista went to school and later married.  


Bella was my little shadow, always seemed to be right where I needed to step, and right by my side or at my feet while sitting.    She was my alarm when anyone came to the door. Even if they didn't knock, she knew they were there.  When my kids came to the door to visit, there was a different bark.  She knew who was at the other side...she knew they were her people.  

Bella was my gentle girl with my grandkids and the babies that I often watch.  She let them pull her tail, and rest their heads on her side...cleaning up after them when they missed their mouths while eating.  She waited outside my bathroom while I got ready in the mornings, accompanied me to the kitchen for a drink in the middle of the night.  She was at the garage door anytime I came home, and if she knew I was outside without her, she would bark and bark, and bark.....oh how I miss that little bark.

I miss her like I would miss one of my own children.   She was a light in my life and I have no one to hold me through the night and  tell me it is going to be alright.  Tears come at the most random of times, often the most awkward of times, and I just don't care.  They are my tears and they let me know how important connection is in this world.  How important it is to show how much we love those in our lives, how important it is to be kind and good and truly loving.   

When it comes down to it, no one is safe, no one is immune to what is the graduation from this thing called life.  There is only one way out and we never know when that time will come.  On a bike, in a car, or simply three days after becoming ill.  

I know my heart will heal as time passes, and I may even add a new little friend to my family, but for now my heart is broken.  When it comes down to it there is only one that can heal it, and I pray to him constantly.  Some days non stop...most days non stop.  My advice...never let an opportunity pass to say I love you, or give a hug, or a squeeze, or a belly scratch, or simply a loving smile.  

Because if you blink....they just might be gone.