On Saturday, July 2, my aunt died. She was killed in a boating accident.
When my parents found out, they called Kiefer first to make sure he was with me. Tears were shed. Every day since has been filled with emails, phone calls, texts to check on family members and funeral arrangements.
The funeral.
I’d never really even been to one. No one in my immediate family has ever died.
Oddly enough, when I was very young, I went to a funeral for some distant relative. But because I was young, I sat outside with my new baby cousin and my aunt.
And Friday I went to her funeral.
And I didn’t know what to do. I didn’t know what to say. But I gave lots of hugs to my family and to strangers.
My aunt was giver. She was constantly moving. Constantly doing. Constantly giving. Always helping someone. And it showed. Over 650 people came to her viewing and funeral. She was loved…by everyone.
Why am I posting this?
Because it’s been a rough week. In just 1 week, my aunt died, Kiefer’s neighbor passed away leaving 4 children motherless, and my godson’s uncle passed away.
So I’m asking you to slow down. Slow down and pay attention. Not just in your car or boat or on your motorcycle, but in your life. Tell your family and friends that you love them. Give them an extra squeeze when you hug.
Do it now.
Thoughts Appear 
July 13th, 2011 at 7:44 am
Oh, Thoughts – I’m so very, very sorry. Your aunt sounds like a lovely person and I’m sure she loved you very much. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. xo
July 13th, 2011 at 7:49 am
“EVERY LIFE HAS A MEASURE OF SORROW, AND SOMETIMES THIS IS WHAT AWAKENS US.” Our deepest sympathy goes out to you and Margaret’s family. Losing a loved one is the hardest thing to deal with in life. Everyone will give you advice on how to deal with it, but you will handle it in our own way. Take one day at a time. It is unfortunate that it takes something so tragic to wake us up and realize how precious life truly is and how life can be snatched away from you in an instant. Love the one you are with, tell them every day, and live your life to the fullest. You will be in our thoughts and prayers. We love you!
July 13th, 2011 at 7:50 am
So sorry for your loss. Lifting you up in prayer.
July 13th, 2011 at 8:02 am
Sending you a virtual hug (from me, a virtual stranger). I am sorry for your loss. Please let me know if there is anything I can do for you.
July 13th, 2011 at 8:17 am
I am so very sorry to hear about your aunt. My thoughts and heart are with you and your family.
The only reason I hit the like button fir this post is because of your message….slow down. I have been saying this since I lost my mom. You never know when the last day will come. Slow down, breathe, take life in, live and enjoy it AND always say I love you..
*hugs*
July 13th, 2011 at 8:19 am
When I started reading this, I thought- I know exactly who you are talking about. Although I never knew your aunt, Lyle is from my hometown. I do’t know him well, but have never heard anything but good things. From what I have seen on Facebook, she was a wonderful woman and loved by so many. I’m so sorry for your loss. Hold your memories tight.
July 13th, 2011 at 8:24 am
Just clicked my “Good Thoughts” button. Still clicking. Very sorry.
July 13th, 2011 at 8:37 am
Rough stuff. Sorry. Extra squeezes for my crew today. Thanks for the reminder.
July 13th, 2011 at 8:50 am
I’m so sorry to hear about your aunt. That’s so sad and so senseless. Hang in there. Do what you can to help your uncle, and Keifer will be there to help you.
July 13th, 2011 at 8:59 am
Times of trouble often bring with them just that message: take the time to appreciate the now. Love freely and openly and give thanks for each day we are given.
July 13th, 2011 at 9:55 am
I’m so sorry about your families loss.
You give good advice. Pace!
Please take care of yourself? It is so easy to look after everyone but you in times like this.
July 13th, 2011 at 10:17 am
I am so sorry that you have this sadness in your life. It has to be a hard time for you and your family. Still, I’m glad you were able to share your sorrow with each other. She must have been a very special woman. Your advice is spot on. We really never need an excuse to tell people we love them. And we never know what’s around the corner.
July 13th, 2011 at 10:25 am
What sad but very lovely thoughts. I am so sorry for yours and so many others loss.
July 13th, 2011 at 10:26 am
oh thoughtsie I’m very sorry 😦 I hope things change soon and that the sun shines brighter. Thinking of you and those you know xxx
July 13th, 2011 at 11:16 am
You’re doing the only thing that ever makes sense in a tough time like this one. Love the people around you, remember what matters most, and talk about it. Writing is the only way I ever get it out.
July 13th, 2011 at 11:46 am
I am sorry to hear that,
Great reminder; Life is short and precious.
July 13th, 2011 at 1:17 pm
I’m very sorry for your loss. That is so sad, it sounds like your aunt touched many peoples lives in a very positive way.
July 13th, 2011 at 1:44 pm
Saying “I’m sorry for your loss” just doesn’t seem like enough, but I am deeply saddened by your loss. However, it does look like you have tried to find meaning and a possitive outlook from this tragedy. My thoughts are with you and yours.
July 13th, 2011 at 1:48 pm
Oh that is sad. Very sad.
And thank you for the reminder to love in the moment.
July 13th, 2011 at 1:49 pm
Sorry for your loss. Life is way too short and I’ve unfortunately had to learn that the hard way. My thoughts are with you.
July 13th, 2011 at 4:25 pm
I’m really sorry about your aunt. It’s nice to hear that she was so loved by so many. Must have been a fantastic woman.
July 13th, 2011 at 7:54 pm
So sorry to hear about your aunt. Sending lots of hugs your way~
July 13th, 2011 at 8:22 pm
I’m so sorry to hear about losing your aunt. My thoughts are with you and your family.
July 13th, 2011 at 8:58 pm
Angie, I am very sorry to hear about your aunt! My thoughts are with you and the rest of the family! Take Care!!!!!
July 13th, 2011 at 9:47 pm
Oh, Thoughtsy, no. What a horrible freak accident. I’m so very sorry. Condolences to you and your family in this sad time. You are right–we need to slow down and cherish each of our loved ones. Take good care.
July 13th, 2011 at 9:52 pm
Hugs to you. So sorry 😦
July 13th, 2011 at 11:31 pm
Take care Thoughts, this is a wonderful way to reinforce your Aunt’s memory.
All my kindest wishes to you and your family through this period.
July 14th, 2011 at 6:40 am
love you, too, baby — internet hugs count just as much
July 14th, 2011 at 6:58 am
My condolences to you and your family. Thank you for your post. It is a kind reminder for all of us to not only value our loved ones, but to enjoy them – to spend time with them. And to tell them how much they mean to us. Your Aunt sounds special and I’m sorry for your loss.
July 14th, 2011 at 8:16 am
Sending you and your family a ton of positive energy. The death of a loved one is rough and something I will never get used to. And you are right, we all need to slow down, it’s easy to get caught up in the grind and take our friends/family for granted. Your aunt sounds like she was a wonderful person, my heart goes out to all of you.
July 14th, 2011 at 9:28 am
I am so, so sorry for your loss. I’ve had a few wake-up calls recently about the impermanence of life and how important it is to truly live every moment and show our love to the people in our lives. I hope you’re doing okay, and am glad you’ve got Kiefer for support.
July 14th, 2011 at 1:10 pm
Oh this is rough, but it seems you’ve already taken a pretty big lesson from it. Thanks for the reminder to stop and enjoy life rather than rushing to live it. Big love from my family to yours during this difficult time.
July 14th, 2011 at 5:52 pm
Oh, you are so right. We all do need to slow down and take the extra moments to be with our loved ones and let them know exactly how much they mean to us. It’s so easy to take it all for granted.
Love, hugs and positive thoughts to you and your family. So, so sorry.
July 14th, 2011 at 9:04 pm
I stopped by after visiting Spectra’s site, and was really moved by your message. So sorry for your loss, but am glad that you took the opportunity to use it in a positive way. My husband and I ride. We’ve lost many friends to cycle crashes, drinking and driving, heart failure from living too hard and fast, and yes…sadly, suicide. It’s always nice when someone takes the time to remind others that their life is valuable and to appreciate it. I was listening. I know others were too. Thanks.
July 14th, 2011 at 10:47 pm
Ah, darling Thoughtsappear…I had just made a post tonight featuring you and Amy(Fix it or Deal)…celebrating your upcoming nuptials, a celebration of union, fun, life. And here we are, looking at the sad side of life, and loss. Find that place within you… and it seems your reaching out is a sign you are leaning on those around you. This is the time. I have a HUGE family, and got used to losing people early on in life. And also got used to bringing in new people, new relationships, to fill those gaps. Though, you can never replace someone so special in your life. So sorry for your loss. PissyKitty, thanks for paying Thoughts a visit via my blog. See how this community works???? People really do care! God Bless, see you soon. Take care of yourself. Love, Spectra
July 15th, 2011 at 4:49 pm
My Darling Angie,
For years now we have corresponded and yet we have not met, not once. Reading this blog did catch my attention. In some ways, you are familiar to me. You have been there when my husband cheated on me, though emails and messages were the only means of communication between us, but we were still there in words, sayings, lyrics and so on.
After reading this blog, I too have decided to slow down and take the time to smell the roses and the coffee-
After taking my husband back into my new home, we are slowly creating this new LIFE after the STORM- you’re right, we all have to slow down & not hurry up in everything that we do.
I wish to meet you someday and so I may say “Yes, I have met that one, in thoughts appear” .
Take care my friend and condolences to you & your family 🙂
Kat
July 16th, 2011 at 8:34 am
I love these posts. Not because you lost someone, for which I am sorry, but because they are real. Take care today.
July 16th, 2011 at 5:13 pm
I am so so sorry to hear about your aunt. My heart is with you and I’m sending positive thoughts to you and your family. You are so right about telling the people in your life that you love them. Thank you for sharing this, especially during such a hard time. We all need to hear this.
July 18th, 2011 at 9:18 am
We don’t *really* know each other, but you and your family are in my thoughts. I didn’t know your aunt, but the loss of someone who clearly gave so much to the world still brings sorry. Much love to those mourning someone who gave so much love. There are no other words.
July 19th, 2011 at 3:45 pm
oh NO my dear.
so so sorry to hear this…. ugh. seems like craz.y things are happening all around. good thoughts to you and your family. ugh, that is so awful. =(
July 19th, 2011 at 10:39 pm
I’m sorry I missed this.
I’m sorry you’re hurting.
You did everything right at the funeral.
You are absolutely right in reminding us all to slow down.
I hope you are, too.
Be well.
July 22nd, 2011 at 1:18 am
Very important message.
I am sorry for your loss. Take this time to heal and know she’ll always be in your heart.
July 22nd, 2011 at 8:22 am
Everyone, thank you for the kinds words and keeping me and my family in your thoughts!
July 23rd, 2011 at 12:21 pm
How awful! I’m very sad for you! You’re right. We should slow down. We should spend time with people we care about instead of letting ourselves be too busy, and we should spend more time enjoying life. I have lost family members, too, but never anyone I actually knew very well. I’m dreading when that happens.