Wake up calls -

Those things we call wake up calls seem to be coming earlier in life.  My mom died when she was 52.  My younger sister had a heart attack at 40 and today we got the news that my brother had a heart attack last night.  He is 39.  I am still a little in shock at this news - 39?!?

Yes, my family has a history of heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes. Yes, we all should have taken better care of ourselves.  And yes, I know, these things happen to people even younger than my brother.  But when it hits close to home - it makes you more aware of how quickly things can change. I have thought for years that things like this would happen to me - not to my siblings.  After all, I was the one growing up that was heavier than the others. I was not athletically inclined in any way shape or form and usually preferred to stay indoors rather than be outside playing.  And stress?  Yes, we all have that in our lives - so we all can tend to feel that we are more stressed than another.  And no, I am not wanting these things to happen to me, but the questions do exist as to "Why not me?"

I just ran into a friend that I met over 8 years ago when I first moved to Waterloo. I shared with her the news and explained that he is only 39 and she said "It's like that quote you shared from the movie."  For those who may not be on my Facebook page or may have just missed it, this is a quote from a Hallmark Holiday movie that I watched last week..."You can spend your whole life wondering 'What if' or you can just live in the moment and see what happens." At 46, I know I have wondered a lot of "What ifs" - and I did it today. It's natural to do it with so many things that can happen. But yet, we can choose to live in the moment!  And I want to do that more!  I want to intentionally try to choose to live for now and see what happens.

No, that doesn't mean that I will ignore common sense.  But it does mean that I will focus on enjoying each day!  I will make choices that are better for me (health wise) - goodness knows I need to do that! I will work on being present in each and every moment - to see more of the great things that are there in this world!  I don't consider myself a risk-taker so jumping out of a plane doesn't look to be on my agenda, but I can find other ways to see things from new and different perspectives! I started a draft plan for this a few months back - my "Things To Do Before I Am 50" list!  Some of the things on that list already are visit New York City and ride in a tractor!  (My "plan" is to be on the Today Show on my 50th birthday!!!) 

So for today, I will ask one simple thing. While you are enjoying your day, please send a thought up for my brother and his family. Every little bit helps, right?!?  So I thought I would just ask - 

Thanks and love to all -