Thanks for the memories...

I haven't written in over a week.  Truth is I could have written something. 

I could have written about how my impulsive nature lead to us getting a little teeny tiny baby kitty that had been abandoned on the side of the road with her siblings. WHO DOES THAT???

I could have written about my kids.  I could have written about my night away with my husband.  Or about an extremely drunk girl who was running her mouth to a couple with a fussy baby at a baseball game.  WHO DOES THAT???

But I didn't write anything.

Just a few days ago, a very dear family friend...who was one my mom's best friends and also the stepmother of one of my best friends (are you still with me?)...passed away.  She was very ill and while it is a relief that she is no longer suffering, it is unfair that she had to even suffer from ANYTHING in the first place.

You see, this woman was loved by so many.

She was one of the funniest, best storytellers I have ever met.  The way she delivered a story was priceless.  I can hear her voice right now if I close my eyes.

She was so kind to everyone.  She would strike up a conversation with strangers...and would usually make fast friends with anyone she met.

She was loyal.  And funny.  And had such a good heart.  But she could also tell it like it is. 

She knew how to have a good time.  Oh, yes she certainly did.

She was a great mother, wife, grandmother, aunt, and friend.  She was just a terrific person.

And the past few days we have all been telling stories about her, looking at pictures, laughing, crying, and just sharing memories.

Because all that is left when you are gone are memories.

Which got me thinking...how do I want to be remembered?

How do we all want to be remembered?  I'll tell you what...if even half of what I wrote above could also be said about me when I am gone, I would be satisfied. 

If I have learned anything about life, it's that it can be unfair.  The future is not in our control.  You never know tomorrow will bring.

But that doesn't mean we can't have a good time on this crazy roller coaster of life.  That doesn't mean that we can't try to live each day to the fullest.  We can laugh and cry and celebrate and be happy and be sad and be all of those things and feel all of the feelings. 

And when it's all said and done, we can hope that we have left those that love us with great memories to comfort them and make them smile.

Thanks for the memories, Barb.  You will never be forgotten.