Monday, October 21, 2013

Are we living?


Live. Laugh. Love.
I know, so cliché, right? Or is it?

Often people will look at that phrase that is plastered over merchandise in stores and look the other way because we believe it’s overused, just another saying or even cheesy. But what if we really thought about those three short words.

Live. Do we live life to the fullest and see the joys in even the smallest pleasures of life. Do we take chances, risks or adventures?

Laugh. Do we take time to surround ourselves with laughter, smiles and people who bring us both? Do we laugh at ourselves and allow ourselves to completely let go?

Love. Do we allow ourselves to put others before ourselves and truly love them? Do we open ourselves up to also be loved?

It’s been a month since the world lost one amazing woman after a battle with cancer. Amy Mitchell was like a second mom to me. She loved without hesitation, truly caring for the people who have crossed her path.

She had one amazing sense of humor. She knew how to find the positive in every situation and how to make an event truly an event to remember. Life for Amy was about making things fun and exciting. She knew how to laugh, even at herself.



And she knew how to live and appreciate life. As she went through treatment, she still had a smile on her face. She would count her blessings and not focus on her hardships. She told me that she was OK with whatever was handed to her because how could she ask for God’s blessings if she didn’t also take the challenges. She was strong.

I remember going over to the house just to grab some mail I had there or something I was borrowing from a family member and I would end up talking with her for a good hour. Amy genuinely cared for people and their lives.

And she loved her family beyond words. Her marriage to Leonard was encouraging and wonderful to see. She raised three beautiful daughters and one handsome son, who each have a bit of her in them. I know she would be beyond proud of them every day of their lives.

Life is precious. Why do we wait for someone to be taken away to realize that? I hope that I can learn from everyone around me while they are with me and not take them or opportunities for granted.

One month later and I still think about Amy’s impact. How she lived. How she laughed. How she loved.

2 comments:

  1. Love it! I can see her inner beauty in the picture you posted. As the gracious recipient of three women who were/are like moms to me i can relate to your loss. Thanks for Posting!

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