Life Should Not be Measured....

My favorite quote is...

'Life should not be measured by the Breaths that we take but rather by the moments that take our breath away!'

I am not sure who wrote it but it was my email tag line for years, it's on the wall of two of my bathrooms and in my kitchen window sill. I still look at it and remember how blessed I am.

I have had so many moments that took y breath away such as meeting the love of my life, Richard, the birth of my 3 kids, the weddings of all 3 kids, the births of my 8 grandchildren and on and on.

There have been so many times that I've also had sadness that took my breath away. The sudden death of my mother at 53 years old, the loss of my dad and 3 good friends in the same year, the loss of my mother-in-law last year. 

So the things that take our breath away is not always happy times, they can be sorrowful times as well. But, what I realize is that this is life. You take the good and the bad and measure the moments. It's not how long we live, it's how we live in the moments. 

Love unconditionally, forgive easily, forget the careless things that people do when they hurt you, love those who forgive you when you hurt them, spend time, time, and more time with family and friends as if it were the last moments you have with them because it might be.

Sadly, my very good friend, Melanie is  probably losing her twin sister very soon. She's on life support and although I know God works miracles EVERY DAY, the truth is, she's dying. She may last a few hours, a few days or she could rally and be with us for many more years, BUT we need to prepare for the loss of our loved one. It's a moment that will take our breath away once again.

For those of you reading this...I love you! I make no excuses or apologies for caring about you so much that it takes my breath away. I want you all to know that you are special and have been  given so much talent and wealth compared to so many, use it wisely and generously because you cannot take it to the grave.

Another quote I read awhile back was something to the effect of...The journey to the grave should not be that you want to look your best in your coffin but to look like you've worn yourself out by enjoying life. It's not how good we look when we die, but that we've used up every ounce of our being to enjoy this life! We'll get enough R&R in heaven.

God Bless you all, and may his warm loving arms give you peace and security for ever.

Your breathless friend Darlene!