all the time. She talked non-stop about her kids. She was funny and silly. She died as quickly as she could because she didn't want to burden anyone.
She made sure the family get togethers occurred at the holidays. She made a huge deal out of every event. She was the glue for our family. Since her death, our family changed dramatically. We all kind of scattered to the winds. The family get togethers still occur, but not nearly as frequently and with a lot less fanfare. Yes, she was the family cheerleader. She was an awesome sister. I miss her terribly.
Her death changed me. Losing her made me realize that life is precious and that we should take notice of the people, events and great things that exist. While it may seem that we have some pretty shitty days, there are whole lot of days that are full of amazing things. My response to losing her has been to experience the moments. Truly know people and appreciate them for who they are. I do stupid, adrenaline pumping things I call 'adventures'. Every time I do something that seems ridiculously wreckless, I feel gratitude for having the opportunity to do it. I enjoy life and the people in it to the fullest extent possible. I stopped caring what people think and do what makes me feel good.
Life can hand us some pretty terrible cards. Tragedies occur in all of our lives at one time or another. We can choose to allow those tragedies to make us bitter and reject the fun and laughter that life still has to offer or we can allow those tragedies to make us grateful for having another day to smile and enjoy what nature has provided. It is our choice to make it what we want. We can try and blame the world for dealing us a crappy hand, or we can blame ourselves for letting it get the best of us.
Make a choice today to be grateful for the totally cool and wonderful people in your life. Be grateful for that fantastic sunrise or sunset you witnessed. Find that great thing that made you smile today and remember that life is what you make it. It is precious and you have all the power in the world to make it what you want.
My sister's favorite song was I Hope You Dance by Lee Ann Womack. Every time I hear it I know she is with me and reminding me to make the best of what has been given me.
"I Hope You Dance"
I hope you never lose your sense of wonder,
You get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger,
May you never take one single breath for granted,
GOD forbid love ever leave you empty handed,
I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean,
Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens,
Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance,
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance.
I hope you dance....I hope you dance.
I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance,
Never settle for the path of least resistance
Livin' might mean takin' chances but they're worth takin',
Lovin' might be a mistake but it's worth makin',
Don't let some hell bent heart leave you bitter,
When you come close to sellin' out reconsider,
Give the heavens above more than just a passing glance,
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance.
I hope you dance....I hope you dance.
I hope you dance....I hope you dance.
(Time is a wheel in constant motion always rolling us along,
Tell me who wants to look back on their years and wonder where those years have gone.)
I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean,
Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens,
Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance,
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance.
Dance....I hope you dance.
I hope you dance....I hope you dance.
I hope you dance....I hope you dance..
(Time is a wheel in constant motion always rolling us along
Tell me who wants to look back on their years and wonder where those years have gone)
You get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger,
May you never take one single breath for granted,
GOD forbid love ever leave you empty handed,
I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean,
Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens,
Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance,
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance.
I hope you dance....I hope you dance.
I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance,
Never settle for the path of least resistance
Livin' might mean takin' chances but they're worth takin',
Lovin' might be a mistake but it's worth makin',
Don't let some hell bent heart leave you bitter,
When you come close to sellin' out reconsider,
Give the heavens above more than just a passing glance,
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance.
I hope you dance....I hope you dance.
I hope you dance....I hope you dance.
(Time is a wheel in constant motion always rolling us along,
Tell me who wants to look back on their years and wonder where those years have gone.)
I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean,
Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens,
Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance,
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance.
Dance....I hope you dance.
I hope you dance....I hope you dance.
I hope you dance....I hope you dance..
(Time is a wheel in constant motion always rolling us along
Tell me who wants to look back on their years and wonder where those years have gone)
Lee Ann Womack's - I Hope You Dance
For more information on breast cancer: http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/
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