PRIORITIES.......

Last week a friend I used to work with passed away from cancer. She worked in our Vernal, Utah office before the office was shut down. She was one of those people that could always make you laugh and always had the brightest smile on her face. She amazed me. She had a long, hard fight with cancer and thought she had it beat. However, the Lord had other ideas for her and when it came back, the doctors simply told her there was nothing they could do. She continued to fight....chemo, radiation, all the fun procedures that come with cancer. Finally, she knew it didn't matter what she did, in the end, the cancer would win. So, she decided to fight for the quality of her life, no longer the quantity. During all of this, she and her husband (who really wasn't the best support anyway)divorced. But, she rallied on and in August of this year managed to make it through the temple to take out her endowments. Her family said at the funeral they didn't know how she did it....she was so sick and could barely stand. But, being the kind of person she is, she made it through and fulfilled her goal. Up until her death, she was one of the most positive people I have ever met. It didn't matter if she felt like crap (which she did most of the time) she always had a smile, a joke and made you feel like the most important person in the world. After our branch closed down I actually lost contact with her until the amazing world of facebook kicked in. When she and I became friends on facebook, it was towards the end of her life. As I read her posts, I felt truly blessed to know her and have her in my life for time, even if it was short. She was one of those people I truly looked up to and admired. When we found out about her death, another friend from work and I decided to head out to the funeral. It's about a 3 1/2 hr drive one way, so we would miss all of work on Monday. Sunday night I had decided not to go......there was just so much to do at work and home and it was the bub's birthday. If you know my bub's, you know his birthday is a pretty big deal. As I was talking to him about it, he just looked at me and told me to go. It didn't matter that it was his birthday, or that I didn't have anything to wear and that my work would still be there on Tuesday when I got back into the office. He told me he knew it would probably mean a lot if we did go and that if it was him, he would want people to come to his funeral and remember him. So, we went and I am SOOOO glad we did. Yes, it was a long drive and yes, I had a TON of work when I got back, but it was so worth it. It was nice to be able to see old friends from the office and hear stories about this person we all loved and admired. As we were starting the long trek back home and we were reminicing about the funeral and about life, I realized sometimes I need a kick in the butt like this to get my priorities straight. Life happens. Believe me, I know. But, when all is said in done and your life has been lived, how do you want to be remembered? I would like to think people would make a 3 1/2 hr. drive out to my funeral to remember me and the life I lived. Rest in peace, MarShel, you done good.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BUBS!!!

Just a shout out to my very handsome hubby to wish him a very happy birthday! I ended up in Vernal, Utah today for a friends funeral (which is about a 7 hr drive round trip) so we weren't able to REALLY celebrate his birthday in style (I told him I would make it up to him on Friday). But, I do want to wish him a very happy birthday and tell him how much I LOVE HIM. He's such a great guy and I am so blessed to have him in my life.....love you babe!