People Matter; So Tell Them

My husband, Tom, and I celebrate our 8 year wedding anniversary tomorrow. In a moment of nostalgia, I watched our wedding highlight video on Saturday, eager to show my son the special moments of our wedding.

I very quickly realized that 9 of the people in the video had since passed away. As recently as yesterday, that number climbed to 10 as we lost my cousin's husband. 10 lives gone. In 8 years.

It really struck me. Not only is that a fairly large number of people in 8 years, but it was a reminder of how precious life is. Each of those individuals meant something special to us, for different reasons. One of them was my own dad, who was my rock. Some of them were gone before we had the chance to say goodbye or truly tell them what they meant to us.

I can't stop people from getting sick or people from leaving us too soon. But I can lift up those in my life. Thank them. Tell them how they have made an impact on my life.

But how, in a season of life when it feels like I barely have time to go to the bathroom, when I can't keep my house clean or keep up with yard work, am I possibly going to make meaningful connections with people in my life?

I'll start simple. When someone crosses my mind, I'm texting them. I'm telling them that I am thinking about them and just checking in. And while that might seem simple to you, it may be a small check in that leads to something deeper. And it may be my chance to say "thank you for what you bring to my life". Before it's too late.

To my dad, Uncle Brad, Aunt Pat, Nancy, Aunt Mary Ann, Matt, Aunt Marty, Chuck, Aunt Tucky, and Mike- Thank you. For the joy you brought to my life or to the lives of the people I love most. For standing by us on our wedding day. You'll never be forgotten and your memories live on through the people you loved.

Friends, at the end of the day, it's people who matter the most. So tell your your people that they matter to you.