I was saddened to hear of the loss of a college friend/sorority sister this week - Paige Pruett Butler. I haven't seen or spoken to Paige or her husband (our friend Jeff) for many years, but I remember them as wonderful friends who were always up for a good time.
As I was running today (I swear - that is NOT all I do, it just seems that way) I was somber as I thought of friends we have had in the past but lost. Lost in many ways - because we fell out of touch or because they have passed on to be with the Lord. My friend Liz from high school who was so distraught she took her own life (I was not in her life anymore either, so I have no idea why she was so distraught - shame on me). My friend Michelle who died while on vacation with me in Italy (I was only 1 mile ahead of her and didn't go back to see her before they took her by helicopter to the hospital where she was pronounced dead - shame on me).
My "uncle" John who died of a massive heart attack early this year. He was so kind to me, always stopping in to say hi to Rich and I when he was in Colorado. I wish I had told him how much he meant to me while he was here (shame on me).
My mothers best friend and good friend of mine Susan who lost her 10 year battle with cancer this year. I kept saying I was going to coordinate one more girls trip with all of us but never got around to it (shame on me).
Do you see a pattern? I do. I understand the cycle of life and that everyone has a time to live and a time to die. My head gets that, but I wish someone would tell my heart. I also believe that times like this make me reflect on the people still in my life and what I need to be doing for them. How I need to be there for them. So much more than I am doing right now. I think today I will make a list of people I want to reach out to. To thank, to ask if they need help, to just say hi and I love you.
Sure does make my luxury car vanity issues seem silly - DOESN'T IT???
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Kristen, I'm sorry to hear of your loss...even if you've been out of touch with Paige for a long time, her passing is still a loss, with no opportunity to reconnect in this lifetime. I'm sure her husband Jeff will be on your reach-out list and that he will appreciate hearing from you. We all have "if onlys" in our lives...we are human and busy with the day-to-day...but you have a great heart and have probably done a great deal more for more people with your random acts of kindness than you will ever know.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jan. Please give Rena a big hug from me and a kiss and tell her that I am thinking of her. I plan on calling her over the next few days as well. Safe and fun journey.
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