Do You Realize?

Do You Realize - that you have the most beautiful face
Do You Realize - we're floating in space -
Do You Realize - that happiness makes you cry
Do You Realize - that everyone you know someday will die

And instead of saying all of your goodbyes - let them know
You realize that life goes fast
It's hard to make the good things last
You realize the sun doesn't go down
It's just an illusion caused by the world spinning round

-Flaming Lips (click on 'Do You Realize' to hear the song - it's beautiful!)

On Christmas Eve the kids were decorating cookies and I was so bugged that they were getting multi-colored sprinkles everywhere! It was totally pissing me off!!! And then I got yanked back to reality. I remembered that there is a woman I know who has just recently been diagnosed with acute leukemia and has been in the hospital for the past month. She has no partner or children, no health insurance, and has to be separated from her beloved dog. It certainly gives me gratitude every time I think of her...

This morning I read in the paper that a woman I know (neighbor, casual friend, business acquaintance) died in her home last week. She is divorced and we used to commiserate together about how painful it is to be separated from our kids. She has a son in the 4th grade. My heart just breaks about the whole thing. One of my worst fears is dying while my kids are young and leaving them...so sad and shocking.

But here's the deal...like the Flaming Lips so rightfully say: "Do you realize that everyone you know someday will die?" I treasure the people in my life and feel so blessed for their presence. xoxo