The end of 2009 approaches.

Approaching the end of another year! This has been an eventful year to say the least. My mother's death in April followed by Ron's diagnosis of cancer in August and his surgery in September. It was hard to see another empty chair at the Thanksgiving table this year. I remember when we had a table full of cousins and aunts and uncles. Every Thanksgiving meal was followed by a touch football game in the back yard.

So much has happened this year and yet life goes on. It doesn't necessary go on the same way as before but we try to keep smiling and appreciate every moment we have. I heard something yesterday that kind of struck me. It was something like "Remember, in the game of life, no one comes out alive." That makes it even more reason to live the life you have while you have it. It's worth asking yourself just how you want to be remembered. I want to be remembered as someone who liked to laugh, knew how to love and was generous in spirit. Now I'll keep striving to be that person.

Last night Ron and I took a drive around town. We drove over to our old grade school where we first met when we were six. We talked about how some things appeared smaller than we remembered but then again we were smaller too. I saw the house I lived in until I was 12 years old and noted how different the neighborhood looks today. I can’t help but yearn to go back in time when I see the old neighborhood and can almost hear the voices of family and friends like the cute little boy from the next block over…with his brown hair and eyes to match. He was our paperboy and always commented on the light illuminating from my bedroom window on his early morning paper route. I was afraid of the dark and my overhead light was left on to counteract my fear of the boogie man.

I don’t know that I would necessarily wish to live my entire life over again. I have wonderful memories but to relive the pain of loss again would not be for me. Instead I choose to keep the good memories and have long since let go of the bad. We shouldn’t spend too much time looking back when there is life ahead yet to live.

Life is short, Break the rules, Forgive quickly, Kiss slowly, Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably, And never regret anything that made you smile..

A little something for breast cancer awareness! Enjoy!