This New Year was not all we had hoped it would be. My grandmother, who got out of the hospital a little over a week ago, was readmitted to the hospital. To make matters worse, the doctor diagnosed my grandfather with ESRD (End Stage Renal Disease) the day after Christmas.
This has been so hard and heartbreaking for us all. This holiday season may not have been the most festive, most joyous, and certainly not the most relaxing, but I've learned a more valuable lesson than I have during any other Christmas of my life.
Life is short. Even if you live to be 100 years old, you will not have time to learn all you want to learn, do all the things you want to do, go all the places you want to go. To spend the time you want with the people you love.
One day, you are cruising along, super busy with school, jobs, dates, shopping, weddings, whatever, but then something happens that causes you to slam on the brakes and realize that time is precious.
I know it's cliche, but it is so, so true. Spend every minute you can with your loved ones. They may not be here tomorrow. Once someone is gone, you can never get them back. You can't turn back the clock and squeeze in one more visit, one more phone call, one more family gathering.
Take advantage of the time you have to tell your loved ones how much they mean to you. You will make their day and save you from a lifetime of regrets.
I hope that 2018 will be a year filled with wonderful times for you and your family. After this troubled time, I know what my New Year's Resolution will be, and that is to spend as much time as possible with my loved ones.