They are valuable.

Its crazy how one little phone call can throw your entire day for a loop. I relax, wind down, and climb into bed thinking out what my next day entails; errands to run, gifts to pick up, Visits to make, etc.. Getting myself into such a routine that any sudden episode will toss my whole productive day into the trash. Getting into such a routine that I forget to take time to breathe and express gratitude and care to the ones I love the most. Being so focused on what has to be done and what money has to be made that I forget all that has been done for me and those that need me. Today was one that made me reflect on my ‘routine’ behavior.

I was awoke this morning by my frantic brother on the phone explaining to me that my mother, my rock, was rushed to the hospital. It’s crazy how in an instant you can feel like your heart is ripped from your chest. I sprung from bed and quickly got myself together while juggling phone calls to and from the family. Grandmom and Grandpop had to be alerted, while I coaxed extra information from Josh and Dan as they rushed to the hospital. Completely frantic on the inside I flew down the highway to the hospital. My heart was pounding and my thoughts were scattered. ‘Was it serious?’ ‘Will I be without my mother?’ ‘Can I handle this kind of loss?’ ‘Did I tell her I loved her yesterday before we hung up?’ ‘Will I be able to say it again today?’ ‘Did they tell the EMT about her past surgeries?’ ‘I’m gonna have to support my brothers.’ ‘I will die without my mommy.’ Tears were streaming down my face before I even knew the severity of her condition. Suddenly my phone rang with a blocked number. I picked it up and surprisingly it was my mom! Oh what a relief! That moment was pregnant with love and gratitude. She had no idea what I was going through, and I still had no clue of her condition.

After a few hours at the hospital and numerous tests later, we were sent home. My mother had a seizure, brought on by what we have yet to find out. Her prescription was close observation and rest.

In just 30 minutes I was given a glimpse of a very serious, extremely frightening senario that would change my life. One phone call at 1030am threw my plans and goals for the day out the window. Why is it that we can so easily get caught in the routine? Since when did dry cleaning, shopping, laundry, etc. take the place of time spent with loved ones? We can be so encompassed by the day-to-day program and building a future that the people that matter the most are put to the side. Why is it that we wait for one day a year to express how grateful we are for family?

As i stated before, my mother is my rock. She raised me and molded me into the woman I am today. My values, work ethic and goals originated from her. If it wasn’t for her and her hard work and dedication, my brothers and I would be very different.

‘A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine desert us; when trouble thickens around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts.’  ~Washington Irving

Why is it that in all I do to build my future and make her proud, do I forget to show her each and everyday that I’m grateful and I love her. A woman that has given up everything for me, deserves everything I can give.

Today was a bit of a wake up call. I was scared that I lost the most valuable person in my life. And what is worse is that I don’t show it enough. I’m not there enough. The thought alone is enough to make me cry. Never again will I go a day without saying ‘I love you mom’ or trying to do something to make her day a little easier. In all our lives we have people that we take for granted. People that sacrifice for us and demonstrate their love for us, that at times can go unnoticed. Life is too short. It’s such a fragile balance between life and death that everyday in every moment we need to make a difference. It doesn’t have to be extraordinary, just a text or a phone call to say ‘hi, i’m thinking about you’, it’s enough to change their day. Don’t wait for the frantic phone call to change your day; to cause you to see their value. It’s too important.