A sad heart ....

Yesterday my beautiful friend Karen passed away from Lupus complications. She was only 46 years old.

Just last week her and her husband returned from a relaxing holiday in Jamaica. She was also in the process of helping to plan her only daughter's upcoming wedding.

I am so saddened by this news and absolutely heartsick for her family. What a horrible, horrible thing!!

Life......we take every day of our lives for granted. Often wasting our time, or putting off things that perhaps we shouldn't. "I'll just do it tomorrow" But something like this shows us that "tomorrow" is not promised and all we really can depend on is today. Don't waste it! Hold your loved ones closer today. Call that friend you haven't talked to in forever. Let the people you care about know just how much you love them. You may never get another chance!!

If I had My Life to Live Over

by Erma Bombeck (written after she found out she was dying from cancer).

I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day.

I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.

I would have talked less and listened more.

I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained, or the sofa faded.

I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.

I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.

I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.

I would have sat on the lawn with my grass stains.

I would have cried and laughed less while watching television and more while watching life.

I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil, or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.

Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.

When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, "Later. Now go get washed up for dinner." There would have been more "I love you's." More "I'm sorry's."

But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute...look at it and really see it. live it. and never give it back.

Stop sweating the small stuff.

Don't worry about who doesn't like you, who has more, or who's doing what.

Instead, let's cherish the relationships we have with those who do love us.