This too is part of life ...

I woke up this morning feeling that the life we live is too short, and that the end is really final.  Our time here with family and friends is in fact limited even though it feels at times infinite while going through the mess of life.

The Pearsons lost a loved one last night.  Dave's Great Aunt Betty passed away.  I have lost all of my grandparents before so I certainly know how it feels to grieve the loss of an elder of the family who is well loved, respected, and cherished.  I have to admit that is a new feeling to be grieving the loss while we are apart from everyone else.  It is also oddly difficult for me to sit in the seat of the spouse who wants nothing more than to support her grieving husband.  

Though the grieving process is painful, for everyone who is touched by the loss, there is comfort to be found as well.  Our beloved Betty is now in a place where there is no suffering and she is no longer in pain.    She is in the presence of the greatest source of love, comfort, devotion, and happiness.  Betty is now another angel watching over us as we continue on our journeys.  It is also incredibly comforting to look at the beautiful faces of the innocent children that fill our lives and realize that even though our time might be limited, there is an incredible amount of love, joy, laughter, learning, and grand adventures to experience while we are here.

I find myself realizing that one thing is of the utmost importance in all of this.  We must tell those we love how much they mean to us.  Shout it from the highest of peaks and at the loudest of voices if you need to, or even want to!  

I LOVE YOU ALL SO VERY MUCH!  EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU HOLDS A VERY SPECIAL PLACE IN MY HEART, IN MY THOUGHTS, AND IN MY PRAYERS.  THANK YOU, EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU, FOR BEING YOU!

Cheers to you Betty Jacobs!