Tuesday, July 13, 2010

What Are You Waiting For?


Yesterday was a day fraught with sadness, both from the blog world and in my immediate surroundings.  The loss of a fellow wife, mother and blogger, even though I didn't know Marija of Holding Court personally, broke my heart!



Then a tragic accident took the life of a 16 year old girl, soon to be 17 and an upcoming senior, just miles from my house.  As I drove back home from taking a birthday present to a dear friend I received a phone call from Mr. Tide telling me that there might be major delays due to a bad car accident.  I would later learn that the young driver of one of the vehicles involved succumbed to her injuries, and once again my heart ached for the loss of such a young life.




Today, as I tried to make sense of events such as these which are so nonsensical, I was reminded that there are no guarantees in life.  We truly never know what tomorrow will bring and need to grab each day and live it out loud!  And we need to stop waiting to go to that party because we don't have anything to wear or need to lose the weight!  We need to visit that place we've been promising ourselves we will go to "one day," write that novel we've had in the back of our minds for years, and tell those around us how very much they mean to us no matter how awkward or difficult it might be!



All of the photos above are from cool springs in my area that are said to have healing properties.  I hope that each of these families, and all those suffering, can find their own healing waters as they navigate the rough seas that lie ahead.

No one is promised tomorrow, but you can promise yourself that TODAY you will live the life you've been dreaming of!

26 comments:

  1. I read about Marija and my heart aches for her family. She only lived a few miles from me and that is close to home in more ways then one. I can never be unaffected when I hear of a tragedy. It makes us hold on more tightly to our children and husbands and loved ones. Thank you for reminding us how fragile life is.

    xoxo
    Janie

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  2. So sad...I learned this lesson years ago as a young newlywed, when my father-in-law died of a sudden heart attack at age 42. My husband and I decided there and then that there were no guarantees in life~ we needed to live our lives instead of just planning them! A sad and timely reminder...

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  3. I was so saddened to read of Marija's tragic death, and now that of this young girl. One thing I was thinking about with Marija's family is that in time to come, they will have a beautiful diary of her life and events and loves through her blog. I read a bit of it last night and though it will be a wonderful thing for them to have when they reach a point when they can even look at it.

    I will keep both of these families in my prayers tonight as they face an incredibly heartbreaking journey.

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  4. It will take quite a while to come to terms with Marija's death; it's always so difficult when it is so sudden...
    I have two friends who have, in the last month, come very close to death; both are fine now. One was on a very remote island in the Pacific when her appendix ruptured; the other was also out of the country, with searing stomach pain. Luckily, both received great treatment and will be fine. But it always sort of catches you up suddenly...to think how easily a friend can disappear.

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  5. Kat, I mentioned this horrible tragedy about Marija in a post today, too. Did not know her and when I read what her husband wrote I just sat and wept for him and her children.

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  6. Kat, so true, everything you said. The tribute Marija's husband wrote was just heart wrenching.

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  7. So sad to hear of these tragedies Kat. ~Lili

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  8. Aneyefordetail, I am very glad that both of your friends will be fine!

    Thank you everyone for your kind words of support, the older I get the harder these things seem to hit me!

    Kat

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  9. We attended the funeral of a dad with 6 boys this weekend...it was heartbreaking.

    I can relate to questioning the taking of a young life.

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  10. Kat, beautifully written and wonderful images. You are so right about reaching out to others and to let them know how they make you feel or how they have affected your life. I think that is exactly what Marija did with so many and I believe that is one of the many reasons we are all so struck with grief. She did take the time to tell some of us how she felt about us. I was one of the lucky ones that got a special note from her and somehow we just clicked. If she or I had not reached out I would have missed knowing this wonderful woman, even if it was for a short period of time and in cyber space, she still touched my life. I love what you wrote and I can tell it is from your heart. Thank you for your beautiful words, Kathysue

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  11. Kathysue, my heart broke for you when I read your wonderful post about Marija. I was so sorry to think that I had somehow missed knowing such a beautiful woman who has touched the lives of so many! I know her kindness, wit, and beauty will live on through her family!

    Kat

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  12. It was indeed heartwrenching to read her husband's post, and the way it was written. I did not know about her blog, but it seems she was well loved. This was a touching post!
    Suzanne

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  13. Sending hugs and a sincere wish that everyone who reads your post can make the message part of their every day lives. It sounds like such an easy thing to do but we both know how difficult it can be for some of us. I don't know who Marija was but it seems to me that she touched many hearts with her kindness and overall goodness. Take care.

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  14. Kat,
    You have made a great point--seize the day. All we have is now. We are in need of being reminded of that fact always. My heart goes out to Marija's husband and children, as well as the family of that young girl who lost her life way too young.

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  15. Kat,
    I too read about the tragic death of Marija. Her husband's tribute to her was so beautiful and heartbreaking. I too felt the weight of her passing. They need our prayers!
    And you posted a reminder that we all need to heed! Everyday is a gift to be opened and used to its fullest. It's our choice!
    Thank you for this lovely post. My heart shares in your saddness!
    Yvonne

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  16. The images you chose for this post are soothing and beautiful. I believe that every day is a gift, even though sometimes I don't treat some days that way. It's a loss such as the ones about which you wrote that brings home to us just how precious that gift is.

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  17. Such terribly sad news, Kat. But very good advice.

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  18. Very powerful words. Prayers for those families who have lost so much.

    Mary Ellen

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  19. Your words are so true ~ the older I get, the more that I realize that we MUST live each day as it is our last ~ as we never know what lies around the next corner ~
    Thanks for your words of wisdom,
    Cindy

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  20. I read about Marija yesterday and felt so sad. She has such young children, it is dreadful. A fellow felt artist Joyce Jackson was on life support ( another tragic accident) until today and she will be missed as well. This has not been a very good week, Kat. You are right to tell us that each day should be lived to the utmost...I'll be praying!

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  21. What a wonderful and well written post Kat. Perfect pictures to go with it. I read about Marija yesterday in a few posts and also the tribute written by her husband. Although I do not know them, the tragedy brought tears to my eyes. When I finished reading his tribute, I thought what a fabulous gift it would be to him and the children if her blog was turned into a book. I have seen some blogs do this but at the moment cannot think of the blog where I most recently saw it.

    ~ Tracy

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  22. I just remembered who had the blog book! It was Cindy at Applestone Cottage. She won it in a giveaway recently and I found the link - http://blog2print.sharedbook.com/blogworld/printmyblog/index.html?source_referer=lenglish

    ~ Tracy

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  23. I read about this yesterday on Kathysue's blog! It is just the most devastating story! My heart is broken for all of you that new her and for her precious family!

    All are in my thoughts and prayers!
    Cathy

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  24. I went to read about your beautiful blog friend, her husband's post breaks my heart. I just heard that the niece of my neighbor, a 21-year-old darling girl died yesterday from the injuries in an accident last week. It does make one stop and think, doesn't it? Stories like these do teach us to embrace each moment and be grateful.

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  25. Amen, Kat; beautifully said.
    I couldn't believe it when
    Kathysue let me know about
    Marija. I have had this on
    my heart all week. I think the
    best tribute to her {and to the
    young girl you also mentioned}
    and others like them is to do
    what you advise: LIVE and don't
    put off for tomorrow. Big hugs
    to you, my friend.
    xx Suzanne

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  26. Kat, I just went and read the heartfelt tribute written by her husband. So tragic I know. I know that you must take the time to tell those around you how much you love them and show them how much you care. Although divorced after the births of our two children, my husband and I stayed friends, close friends. Out of all the mistakes I made in my life, I am so thankful that a bitter divorce was not one of them. He was a good man and although we were not right for each other, I could not have ask for a better father for my children. He died of cancer at the age of 37, that was twenty-seven years ago. I saw him just about every week after our divorce and was there at the hospital with his wife for his last days. My children have fond memories of us as friends and I couldn't imagine it any other way. So yes, take the time and savor every moment.

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