I had a different post in mind planned today, but then caught wind of CBG’s mom’s passing and it’s been weighing on my heart all day. So, similar to T, I wanted to post a tribute for him and his mom and Sunshine, too, as I know this is all extremely difficult on all of them, as one of those life-defining moments that affects you deeply.

Life is damn short. Cancer, as T notes, is a bitch (on wheels). Our family and our loved ones won’t always be around on this earth. It’s days like this that smack me in the face with that reality (akin to this post) that I am extremely lucky to have the family that I do.

Sure, my relationship with my Dad is non-traditional. We don’t see eye to eye. There’s a history I cannot forget. But I can accept it for what it is, and try to forge a ‘working’ relationship with him because I’d regret it if I didn’t.

My relationship with my mom is one of friendship and love. She’s been my support system (along with my sisters) for my entire life. She’s my sounding board and my biggest cheerleader. Sure, we don’t talk every day as some families do (M calls his parents religiously every day. As does my brother in law) but when we do, we make it count. We text. We email. We call. Our relationship now as adults is special and something I wouldn’t change for the world.

My sisters? They’re my best friends. I never want to take that for granted because we’ve worked so hard to get to where we are now. I recognize that. I appreciate them and love them.

It’s days like today that make me want to reach out and hug each and every one of them (and hug M a little tighter, too, for he’s made such an impact on my life in the 5 short months I’ve known him). To pray for good health, happiness, and prosperity. It’s days like today that I sit back and want to take away the pain for those – like CBG – are experiencing and wipe the slate clean.

But since I can’t do that, I can look around me and appreciate the love I have in my life and the family ties that define me.

I thought this quote was suitable for today, because even though CBG’s mom’s life was cut far too short, the life in her years count for far more than physical age. And she will be remembered and loved forever. My prayers and thoughts go out to your family, to Sunshine, too, and I wish you all the strength in the world.

And in the end, it’s not the years in your life that count.  It’s the life in your years.