Time Goes On

My sister worded it well when she said, "Well the days have turned to months and the months into a year.  Think of you often Donnie (Dad) and miss you like crazy!!  Miss all our crazy phone calls and wish I wouldn't have missed all the should haves, could haves, and would haves :,(  You were taken from me too soon!!!  LOVE YOU AND MISS YOU EVERY SINGLE DAY!!"

A year ago today, Don passed away.  Although he had been in the hospital the weekend before, it was a bit of a shock when he died.  It is definitely hard to believe that one year has passed.  A year full of seasons has passed by.  I feel blessed that Lisa and I, with our families, could join the Servetnyk side of the family for a Memorial in Waskesiu this past summer to spread a portion of Don's ashes at one of his favourite fishing lakes.  At times such as this, I find it so fulfilling to be close to family and to celebrate life and the closeness of family.  Our time on this earth is so short and is to be treasured and cherished with those we care most about.  

My parents separated when I was only 4 years old and then divorced a couple of years later, after we had moved to Weyburn.  Since I was so young, I don't recall a lot from that time in my life except tidbits here and there.   Lisa and I did have visits with Don over the years but they were brief and few and far between.  So when my sister speaks of the should haves, could haves, and would haves, it definitely hits close to home for both her and I.  

Today I visited Hillcrest Cemetery where I visited the cremation garden where my Grandfather and Don's remains are kept.  While spending some time in prayer, one of the markers had the following quote:

"One kind word said to the living is worth more than a million tears shed over the grave."

I am an emotional and sentimental woman but even so, I liked the meaning behind this quote.  It is so easy to shed tears over our loved ones passing and I do believe there is a time and place for this; but more than that, it is important to examine the life we live.  To realize that we need to live a life of love and show gratitude and appreciation for our loved ones on earth while we have the opportunity so that we don't live a life full of regrets.  A life full of should haves, could haves, and would haves...

"The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.  The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made."  ~Psalm 145:8-9