Its been a tough 2010 in my family. My mom had been really sick, lost 40 pounds and had every test run known to man. Right after I got back from our Solana hunt in January I took her for her last one because my dad wasn't feeling well and he fell over of a heart attack when I was picking her up at the hospital. Got to the hospital as they got him out of the ambulance. Probably just fell over dead. Still had the mail in his hand. He was a man all of you would have loved.  The shock overwhelms you.

Two weeks later my mom goes in for surgery which supposedly goes well until I get a call from her doc on his way home telling me she had a problem when they tried to revive her post op. Cut off her air, had to shoot her in the heart with ephinedrine, collapsed her lung, she was out and we thought she was gone too. On a respirator. But she came around, spent a week in ICU, another 8 days in the hospital and then came to live with me for 3 weeks. She could barely hobble on a walker at that point. Was in tough shape. Waited on her hand and foot and helped drain out her wounds that had trouble healing, changing bandages several times a day, cooking all her food, etc. Was honored to have the chance to help her. That's what you do for people you love. I know she would have done at least as much for me.

On top of all this my brother's office burned down last month and has thrown him in a depression but I think he is coming around.

Just got back from Easter dinner at her house and playing with my neices, Easter egg hunt and all. A few months before he died my dad said he might not be around much longer and for me to look after our family. I had no idea it would be so soon. Every time I had something particularly unpleasant to do that image and conversation came into my mind.

Let me offer you some advice. Don't let little irritations become any kind of barriers in your relationships with family members. I had them earlier in life and I'm really glad I had outgrown that. Look after your family, period. Love them and live your life in the day because tomorrow may never come. Doesn't mean you shouldn't plan ahead but don't lose the balance.

Happy Easter folks. I hope you have been half as lucky as me in having parents and family you genuinely cherish.

Very wise words........and very well spoken. God Bless you sir, and as you said, cherish the ones that you love and don't take things for granted. I know that we all do at times.....me included.

Winterhawk1960

I'm so sorry for your losses, Sharptop. You are very correct. God does not promise us tomorrow. He doesn't place anything on us that we can't handle with His help. The only advice I can offer is to lean on Him and hang in there.

All things work to good for those who love the Lord. Romans 8:28

I hope the remainder of your 2010 is full of the best of times for you and your family.

Good advice, especially on this very special day when most families come together.

Happy Easter!

Thanks for taking the time to remind us all...sometimes it takes a story like this to truely get someones attention.

God bless.

Wise words-thanks for the reminder.  Sounds like your family is in good hands.  God Bless you and yours

Very true words and something that can never be told enough.  I hope everyone has a wonderful Easter.  Live life to the fullest and love those around you.

AMEN!

Happy Easter!!

God bless,Mudd

Thank you Sharptop for the wise advise!

Sincerely,
Kevin

My heart goes out to you - we never realize how fragile life is till its snatched away. Losing my father was tough but losing my mother is something I'll never get over. GOD BLESS

Pretty tough Sharp, I lost both my parents in the past four years. It makes you think a lot about what is really important. Thanks for the message, Gary

Carlton,

Sorry to hear about all the difficulties you and your family have gone through recently. I have experienced some on the same tragedies in my family since I said goodbye to you at Solana, and I agree with your feelings about life and how it is best lived.

God bless,

Allan

Wise and well put. I'll be praying for you and your family.

Thank you.  I will remember you in my prayers.

Happy Easter and God Bless.