Celebrate the Living

I heard from a friend last night that a woman we both know is in organ failure and is about to be put on a respirator with no hope of recovery except for an immediate organ transplant.

I used to take a bootcamp class with her. She's middle-aged, a vibrant, sassy, smart gal. She paid close attention to her exercising and health and worked out regularly with a personal trainer. I wasn't close enough to her to know the details of her illness, however, the idea that this great lady I knew from class is so gravely ill is shocking to me. Every now and again, one of her friends would give me an update, that she was in the hospital or responding to treatment or home for a short time. I would always say "oh please give her my best wishes" but I didn't send a card, pick up the phone or visit her. While I thanked her for inviting me to her home for parties and to other social events, I didn't tell her that I thought she was a vibrant, sassy, smart gal.

Here's my tribute to her and my wish for all of us: please celebrate the living. Pick up the phone, send an e-mail or write a letter and tell someone you care about how wonderful they are and that you're grateful they are or were in your life even for the shortest moment. Every situation, every relationship, every set of circumstances has an expiration date-we just don't know when.

I am extremely grateful for my wonderful clients (you know who are-you're all fab!), my colleagues, my bosses, my friends and family. I'm grateful to the lady on the other end of the phone at Verizon this morning who helped me change my address and my calling plan in such a cheerful, warm-hearted fashion. I'm grateful for the lady at the gym this afternoon who smiled at me as I walked off the gym floor drenched in sweat. The list goes on and on.

We have this one moment and then the next one and then the next one. Life can change in a blink of an eye. Please let the folks you love know that.

In health and with gratitude and affection,

Laura