Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Life is Short...

Today started out just like any other day....wake up on time, hit snooze three times, get up late...fall back asleep while sitting on the toilet (like you've never done this),  rush through a hot shower, can't find clothes to wear because they all shrunk overnight, the dogs won't go outside even though we do this every day...late to work, depending on whose clock we're using, of course...

I finally get to work and am chatting away on the phone with our travel lady when I get the bad news...via email, of all things...

A friend of mine at work, her husband passed away overnight of a heart attack. I didn't know her husband, only from the stories she would tell, but still I am deeply saddened by this news. You see, my friend is hurting...

He wasn't young, per se, in his sixties, i think, but still, this is young...too young to die. They had such plans...plans for vacation, spending time with the grandbabies as she calls them, dinner plans on Sunday afternoon...Plans that "they" will now never do together....

My friend is hurting and I don't know what to do. For me, death is and always has been uncomfortable territory. Generally in uncomfortable situations I either ignore them or make jokes. In this case, neither is appropriate...All I feel I can do is offer to be there for whatever she may need.

...I hear this often, but it's so true...life is too short...if you love someone, tell them. Why is it that we so often have to be reminded of this?
So, pick up the phone and call that friend or family member that you haven't talked to in a while. Maybe it's time to call a truce to an old feud? Make time to go to that school play or football game. Forget about how dirty the house is, go out to lunch with the girls...

Dear friend...thinking of you.

xoxo
Anitra


4 comments:

  1. Well said. We never know what the next minute will bring. I feel for your friend and her family, being "not that old" myself.

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  2. I understand being uncomfortable and the need for the reminder. My mother's going through some confusing health issues, but the bottom line is if she doesn't start eating, I'm not sure how long she will be with us.

    Give comfort by offering a hug, a tissue, a "What can I do to help you now?" Every one handles death differently. Your friend may need you to just simply listen, and hand her tissues. Please pass on my condolences if appropriate.

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  3. I dont know her and my heart hurts :( Putting myself in her place - if I woke up one morning and my husband was gone, I don't know how I'd survive that empty feeling that would be left behind.

    I said a little prayer for your coworker. I hope she is surrounded by lovely people that will support her and help her through this.

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  4. It scares me so much, this. My husband's best friend was in perfect health other than a cold. He still had the same waist size from high school. He went into work early as was his habit, and his secretary came in at 8am and found him gone, at his desk. You just never know.

    I agree. Hug everyone tight, say kind words, and I never shout at speeding cars anymore because they may be speeding to the hospital to say goodbye to someone.

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