My aunt's funeral is today, and I am left thinking of all of the time I didn't spend with her. The times she extended the invitation for me to 'come down and see us sometime', and I always said 'I will', but never found the time.

Now time has run out.

How often do we let the days slip past without showing those around us that we care? How many family members do we just forget about until a holiday or reunion (or funeral) rolls around? I was shocked to realize how much I liked and would miss my aunt last night, at the funeral home. That's how rarely I got to see her. It took photos from my childhood to remind me of the chance that was now gone forever.

I'd like to challenge everyone reading this to make a list of your friends and family you don't see/speak to/visit like you should, and call each and every one of them and set up a time to get together. Mark those dates and times on your calendar and commit to being there.

Stay connected to those you love, or rediscover the love you felt for them before you got too busy with life. The chance to do so may be gone faster than you think.

If you accept the challenge, please post your acceptance in a reply, and update when you keep one of those appointments! :) I'd love to know about it (and accountability helps).

I hope each and every one of you will be able to avoid the sadness of letting life get too busy for those we love.

-Amanda

Smoke Free for: 6d 3h 58m

Great advice!

Thanks for the reminder.
I lost an Aunt this past weekend to Cancer.
My thoughts are with you as I know exactly how you feel.

Sorry about your loss :(

I have always thought that way... keeping in touch with those you love and care about.

To me the greatest rewards in life is quality time spent with quality people. Everyone of us here probably has numerous people that have passed away that we wish we could spend just an hour with.

Sometime when I think of them I can hear their voice in my head. I am sure it is just a memory and not them actually talking to me, but who knows?

I am sure your aunt knew that she was special to you and I am sure you were special to her.

Thanks, everyone. I'm really glad I had time to reflect on this before the funeral today, because I really made an effort to extend heartfelt invitations to family members to come visit. I know at least one cousin was really surprised at the invite, and she seemed pretty pleased, I'm hoping several take me up on the offers... if not, I guess I'll be paying some house calls :)

My mother got a phone call today that HER aunt passed away last night, so it's really hit me that we never know when the clock will stop and time will have run out.

My aunt also died from cancer, Scooter, but my mom's aunt died from simple old age, I believe.