Priorities

My kids are making me crazy. They are running around, making messes and being little maniacs. My husband makes me so mad when he does those little things he does that drive me up the wall. I'm whiney because I'm tired and all I want to do is lay in bed and sleep. I need a vacation to recover from my vacation.

So when I whine about these stupid things, and I think about how much I wish some things were different, something happens that slaps me upside the head and puts me in my place. Our friend Trevor lost his best friend, Tony, this morning in a car accident. He was 40 yrs old, he has a 2 yr old little boy that he was over the moon about. He had a lifetime ahead of him. People loved him, he was one of those guys who made you feel like you were worthy of listening to, worthy of his time, regardless of how long he knew you. I met him several times, I saw him around town, and in the 10 years since I first met him, I never once saw him without a smile on his face. He made people smile. When I think of Tony, I laugh. He had an infectious laugh. Simply put, he was just a really good guy.

This morning, he died. He died on the side of the road, alone. Much too soon. The world is a little less fun without him in it. He and Trevor were like brothers, and while I did not know Tony as well as others did, I mourn for my friends loss. I mourn for Tony's son who will never know exactly how much his father loved him. How he never knew how much he could love anyone until that little boy came along. I mourn for a mother who lost her only child, and I wonder how a person survives that. I thank God that my husband is healthy and safe here in our home. I thank God that my babies are healthy and safe and that they know how much we love them.

So tonight, while his mother holds onto whatever she can, I will hold onto my children a little bit tighter, I will tell my husband how much I love him more, and I will thank God that they are here for me to do so. When the house gets dirty, I'll clean it up. When the kids are bouncing off the walls, I will be grateful that I am here to watch them do it. When Bob snores at night, I will be so thankful that I can hear those snores. Because those snores mean he's alive and he's right here with me.

Life is too short to let the little things get you down. I won't worry that we went over budget on our vacation. I won't worry if this stupid house sells. I don't care about anything but life and I will remember how short it can be.