In the past 6 weeks I had 2 family members pass away. It was very sad because they were only 47 and 51 years old respectively. One had cancer in remission which flared up suddenly again; then she was gone in a matter of days. The other had a stroke suddenly with no warning at all. Both deaths were a source of great loss and sadness for the family.
When a funeral comes together, it comes together very quickly. You notify as many family members as you can and get as many of them to pay their respects as possible. Half of the people there you haven't seen for years. Many have come to pay respects to someone they barely know. It seems families only come together for weddings and funerals and then go about their lives. You find out things about the deceased at their funeral that you never ever knew about them, because they were not a part of your life when they were alive.
Funerals are about celebrating someone's life but you don't have to wait till they are in a box. Appreciating people while they live is at least as important. The last lesson of those who are taken too quickly and too young is that life is far too short. Seize the day because today will never come again. We just do not have time for pride and pettiness.
If there is someone you haven't seen for a long time, make the call. Send the email. Don't put it off. Life is full of missed opportunities and tomorrow may be too late.
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