Gone Too Soon

I lost another high school classmate this week. That makes four.  Four lives taken much too soon. I've only been out of high school for 16 years. This is the prime of our lives. We should be settled in our careers and starting families.  We shouldn't be saying goodbye.

One drug overdose, one heart attack, one sudden cardiac arrest.  I don't know what caused the last classmate to leave this Earth and maybe I don't want to know.

Many people say it takes something like this to realize that life is too short. Ironically, this entire summer I have been consumed with this knowledge.  I've had these moments, when I'm watching my children with their grandparents, that I know someday memories will no longer be able to be made with them.

I have come to the realization that my parents won't be around forever. As I look into the future, thinking about watching my children participate in activities, make friends, graduate, get married and have children, I had this assumption that my parents will be there to witness it all.  But what if they aren't?  I imagine them guiding me through all the challenges of raising a child, watching my failures and my successes.  Helping me when I'm busy and drowning with numerous school activities, but laughing along with me through the struggles. 

I picture my parents sitting in the bleachers during track meets, soccer games, and softball games.  I see them crammed into auditoriums for band concerts, swing choir and award ceremonies.  Or traveling together to out of town meets and new vacation spots. 

I've mentioned this before: I lost my last living grandparent when I was in 7th grade.  Many classmates had grandparents there to watch every one of their sporting events, witness their graduation, and hold their great grandchildren.  I always wanted that.  Now more than ever, I realize how important that is to me.  But I do know this is out of my hands. 

So I will take any opportunity to spend time with my parents. To allow my children to enjoy activities with them. To make unforgettable memories.  To take too many pictures and videos.  To laugh together, be silly together, and play together.  To just BE together.  We never know how much time we have.