Last week, a wonderful friend and neighbor suddenly passed away. His loss was a quiet reminder of how swiftly life moves — how, in the blink of an eye, we travel from childhood to adolescence, from young adulthood to older adulthood.
As I thought about his family this morning, a few simple reflections came to mind.
• Live in the moment. Be fully present at the concert, the play, or the conversation. When you’re young, some things may feel silly or unimportant, but they’re not. These are the songs that stay tucked in your memory and resurface years later at holidays, sung word for word. These are the moments that quietly shape us.
• Really look at your family. If you’re lucky, they are showing up for you, creating memories, and doing their best to give you something meaningful to carry forward.
• Don’t feel the need to do things exactly the way everyone else does. If others paint their canvases one way, it’s okay to choose your own colors.
• Walk away from people who don’t treat you well. Don’t let anyone take up space in your mind or dim your light. There are plenty of people who will appreciate and celebrate who you are.
• Notice things. When you walk, look up. Take in your surroundings — not just for safety, but for beauty. We are given only so many walks in our lives, and each one holds something worth seeing.
As the holidays draw near and we look ahead to a new year, I find myself thinking about presence, gratitude, and the fleeting nature of time. May we notice more, hold our people a little closer, and allow ourselves to truly be in the moments that quietly become our memories.
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