We move through life taking much for granted.  Very rarely are we reminded of how precious life is as we take it for granted.

In 1994 I was woken by my brothers at 9:00 in the morning and told “grandpa died”.  I asked which one even though I only had one for that one last moment of hope.  He’d had a massive coronary and never even made it to the hospital.

On Monday I dragged myself out of bed like I do every morning and went off to work.  At 9:40 I got a text from my mom saying my aunt wasn’t doing well.  She declined so quickly my mom and uncle called an ambulance less than 30 minutes later.  I heard nothing until my dad took over the texting at 10:34 by letting me know that the ambulance had stopped not far from the house, maybe two minutes away to work on her and another ambulance showed up.  More time passed, a little more than a half hour, and he texted again that she had died.

Later on, talking to my mom, she figures that she actually probably passed away when the ambulance had to stop but they were doing chest compressions when they got her to the hospital.

I was in total shock!  She’d had a cold and had been to the doctor Friday.  He diagnosed her with influenza.  On Monday morning she started with severe shortness of breath.  We will never truly have any answers as the coroner felt comfortable saying that it was complications related to influenza.

I left work at lunch and took the afternoon off going over to my parents’ house to be with my family.  Nobody can wrap their head around what took her and that she’s actually gone.

In a moment, in a breath, our lives can be taken from us.  We take advantage of ourselves.  We have jobs that don’t make us happy and we don’t take the time to be with loved ones or do what it is that make us happiest.

Just the day before, Sunday, I spent the day at home and it was THE BEST day I’ve had in a long time.  It was cold outside but I snuggled under my blanket and watched movies.  I finished editing my health article and actually reviewed a website someone had sent me and found a health magazine to submit to.  I wrote the query letter according to the submission guidelines and sent the email.

I also continued to work on my book or whatever it’s going to turn out to be (don’t know how long it’s going to end up being) and it felt great!  What an awesome day it was.

All I can say is to do what you love and be happy.  In a moment in can be over.  Write, dance, sing or read, watch movies and go the beach.

I’m going to work on it!