Life is short, make it count

[Cheddar Stacker]

I lost my grandmother this week. She was ill, 95, and had a declining quality of life. Her life was not short, and this was a really a blessing, but it was sad nonetheless. It was nice to see so many family members make it to her services, and I saw people I hadn't seen in 20 years. Over the last couple of days everyone went back to their corner of the world and went on with their lives.

Except one.

Unfortunately my 30 something cousin was taken in a fatal car accident on the way home from his grandmothers' funeral, and his father (my uncle) was with him and is in critical condition. I am overwhelmed with grief and I can't imagine how their immediate family feels right now.

I don't write this seeking condolences, regards, prayers, thoughts or pity. I write this as a reminder of how fragile life can be. So do yourselves a favor mustachians:

- Live your life to the fullest
- Call your parents and tell them you love them
- Hug your kids/husband/wife (if applicable) and give them the time, love, and respect they deserve.
- Fulfill your passions today, because tomorrow might not come.

Cheers to you grandma.
Cheers to you cousin.
You will be missed.

[EricL]

Even so, I'm very sorry to hear about your losses and I hope your uncle recovers.

[Gray Matter]

Thanks for the poignant reminder.  I've been so wrapped up in my own little stressors lately, that's it's been hard to keep perspective.  This helps.

I'm sorry for your loss.

[lizzzi]

Yes, thank you for the reminder that we only pass this way one time, and we should make the most of it, because hey, you never know. With respect, and I hope it's OK, I'm sending hugs and condolences. (((Cheddar Stacker)))  Keep us updated about your uncle--I hope he will be all right.

[train_writer]

My deepest sympathy for you Cheddar Stacker, I hope your uncle will stabilize and live on.

Your reminder is good and important.

The following is not to seek attention but to underline your reminder

The plane crash of last Thursday took someone i loved away and many others whom were loved by neighbours, friends, colleagues and others. I am not one easy to struck by news, but this got so personal both in work (translating details) and losing someone that I feel totally shaken up.

[Cheddar Stacker]

EricL, thank you.

Gray Matter, I'm glad if this story helps you keep perspective.

Lizzzi, thanks for the hugs.

Train_writer, thank you for the kind words and I hope you find peace with your loss as well (Hugs).

Thanks for reading guys and gals. I hope the story is more inspirational than depressing, that was the goal anyway. It was extremely therapuetic just to write it, so it has helped me immensely.

Be careful out there folks, but go enjoy life. I have another great reminder lighting a fire under me now. Carpe diem.

[forward]

Sincere condolences for your loss Chedder Stacker.  This reminder and your other input here are meaningful to many including myself. 

Things like this make me take a deep breath and remember why I am working towards FIRE.  The work meetings that I will sit through next week that everyone thinks are so important, just aren't.

[G-dog]

This all must be such a shock for all family and friends.  Best wishes for your uncle's recovery, and sorry for your loss.

We never really know what can happen, but it is so easy to get complacent and get caught up in the tasks of every day and forget to appreciate a pretty sunrise, a nice breeze, breaking out in a sweat from hard work, having a good job (even if you want to FIRE ASAP!), friends and family (which includes pets for me).  Perspective, it always is changing based on where you are right now.

[pac_NW]

We send our prayers, cheddarStacker. Poignant.

[lifejoy]

Sending you well wishes. Thanks for the reminder that the easiest problems in life are the ones you can throw money at.


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[Cheddar Stacker]

mic575, G-dog, pac_NW, and libraryjoy, thanks for the kind words.

Small update, uncle is recovering just fine with some broken bones.

Thanks to all for reading. I hope you have a great week.

[Primm]

Thanks for the reminder. Sometimes I too get caught up in the process and forget to stop and connect. I'm connected now.

I hope your uncle continues to fully recover. Condolences on the losses of your grandmother and cousin.

[arebelspy]

I'm so sorry for your loss.  Thank you for the wonderfully worded reminder about life's fragility.

[Cheddar Stacker]

I'm so sorry for your loss.  Thank you for the wonderfully worded reminder about life's fragility.

Thanks Rebs. Nice to have you back actively posting after the hiatus. You keep posting on 2 and 3 week old threads and bringing them back to life. Love it.

[arebelspy]

Nice to have you back actively posting after the hiatus. You keep posting on 2 and 3 week old threads and bringing them back to life. Love it.

Yeah, I have 35+ pages to catch up on (and more posts are made every day) x 100 thread per page x several posts per thread = lots to catch up on.  :)

The neat thing about reading the older threads is there's often advice about something, everyone gives it, then the person decides, and asking about it 3 weeks later you find out some results (i.e. did they put the offer in on the house, how did the job interview go, etc.)

Otherwise the threads are forgotten, unless OP comes to update with the results, which is rare.  It's fun getting to find out how the stuff went, knowing that the decision point happened a few weeks ago.