Don't Wait

I'm writing this on the plane on my way to Houston. Normally I'd be excited beyond belief right now. Not today. Today I'm going home to be there for one of my best friends and her family as they mourn the loss of her father. He had ALS. It was overwhelming how quickly he declined, but it was inspiring that his spirit- his sense of humor, his faith, his love for his family- never did. He was a great man and I am honored to have known him even in the small capacity that I did.

While I'm in town this week I do hope to spend some time with my parents and grandmother. My dad has a disease called Lewy Body Dementia. He's been sick for 12 years now. He is an amazing man.

No one expected him to be around for my high school graduation. Or my college graduation. Or my wedding. But he was, and he's still here. My best friend never expected to loser her dad at 23. But she did. It doesn't make sense, any of it.

I can't explain why things like this happen, why good people die young or die old, why it's stunningly fast or painfully slow. All I know is that I've already attended the funeral of one good man this week, a man from my church in DC, and now I'll be attending another next week. And I hate that funerals are this outpouring of affection for the one we've lost- not because that in itself is bad, because it's not. We need that as release, we need to celebrate that life. I hate it because I always wonder, "How many times did we tell his person how much we loved and appreciated them while they were still here?" If it's our family, sure. We're pretty good at that. But not always. And how often do we say to our friends, even our acquaintances, "You know? I really appreciate you. You are such a good ________, and I love the way you ________. You always make me laugh/appreciate life/feel better when I'm upset. I'm so glad to know you." Why don't we tell people the wonderful things that we'd wish we could have told them if they were to die tomorrow?

We don't know when our time here will be through. I want to leave this world a better place by the things that I do, but more than that I want the people I love to know just how much I love them. I am heartbroken to be going home for the reasons that I am, but I am so grateful for the opportunity to see my family, to hug them and tell them I love them face to face.

So go tell your family, tell your friends- tell them how glad you are that they are a part of your life. Take advantage of time with them. They are what make life beautiful. And they should know it.