A Reminder
Last week I was reminded of a very difficult lesson.
One that I have learned in the past, but life gets busy as a mom starting a business, this lesson got lost for a little while… I got a little lost.
Last week a very special light in this world went out, unexpectedly. One that had brightened a few of my days when we were living back in Rhode Island and brought me smiles here in Malibu. One that had enriched the lives of many.
She was a daughter, a sister, a friend, a wife, a mother and a grandmother. Her positive influence spanned several generations.
To me, she was a smile at the end of a long day or a laugh when I really needed it. To me, she was there if I needed a missing ingredient for a recipe or someone to tell me that it is ok and laugh at my parenting mistakes with.
She was someone that I thought I would be able to visit with when I would travel to RI. She was someone that I kept in touch with over Facebook.
She was someone that sent me a lovely message 3 months ago… and I never got back to her.
And there is the lesson… and my regret.
Sometimes we get so caught up in our own lives and we take for granted that everyone around us will always be there.
But they won’t.
And now I will not be able to respond to W.S., I missed my chance.
I wanted to share this reminder with you as it is an important one.
Life is precious.
You never know how many moments you – or the people in your life have left. So take a few minutes when you hear from a friend to respond. Always.
Here is what I would have said to her:
Hey W – So great to hear from you! I have been so busy with work and kids but everyone is doing well. I will be in your area over the holidays and I would love to catch up! Thank you for continuing to check in with me, I really appreciate it and always look forward to hearing from you. How is everyone on your end? Lindsey Xx
Here is what I want to say now:
W- I am so sorry I did not take the time to respond to your last note. You are (were) a wonderful, beautiful soul who has illuminated all of the lives around you. Thank you for taking the time to check in with me. Thank you for always being so positive and happy. You are missed.
Here is what I said to my kids when they asked me why I was crying last week:
I told them that life is full of the unexpected. That one of our friends back east had suddenly had passed away and that I was feeling sad and regretful that I had yet to respond to her. I told them that life had just taught me a painful lesson. The lesson is to always take a minute to reach out and touch or respond to your friends and family as you may not be able to later. But instead of getting angry, I am going to learn my lesson and share this message with others.
W.S. may not walk this earth anymore, but her memory will live on.
I will never forget her.
I will never forget what she has taught me.
Malibu Mama Loves Xx
#ConsciousLiving