The Phone Call

Today was a beautiful day in Florida, 65 degrees this a.m., hi of 85 degrees, just gorgeous.  The sky was a pure blue with fluffy white clouds.  Just your typical fabulous day in Florida.  The only thing  that kept this from being the perfect day was the loss of my cousin Nicky.  Nicky was 58 y.o. this month. He was the son of my mother's only brother Jack.  He has one brother, Terry, a wife, 2 kids and 6 grandkids.  He was retiring from his job in June.  He had a very hazardous job and put his life on the line every day for his community as well as his country.  He was taking a few days off and having some trees cut in his neighborhood.  He walked outside his house to see how the cutting was going and a tree limb fell on him and broke his neck.  CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT!  The only thing I can say is that I know for sure he was saved.  That helps along with the fact that I know we all have "an appointed time to die".  I did not get to see Nicky because he lived so far away, but I loved him just the same.  His loss is a hole in my heart from my childhood that hurts so much.  I have a lot of cousins that I know I will be losing in the next few years.  One of my cousins has Alzheimer's and is in her own world now.  That is so sad.  I think of her often.


I don't know about you, but every once in awhile, something in me dreads for the telephone to ring.  I don't know if it is my age or what.  That little dread goes away, I continue on, and then when something happens such as the call about  Nicky's death, that little dread starts up again.  Then every time the phone rings I am hesitant to answer it.  


But tomorrow is another day.  The beauty of it is that we do have another day.  We need to enjoy each minute of it and savor the relationships around us.  I would not take anything for the last 2 months and being able to spend it with my kids and grandkids.  Every time I look at them I thank God for them and the time I have spent with them.  Time is so precious.  Do not squander it.  Squeeze every drop from it.  Enjoy your precious mate if you are married.  I thank God every day for His wisdom in putting Mike and I together.  My life has been a tremendous journey and "I wouldn't take nothin' for my journey now".  


Learn not to dread the phone call.  Answer the calls, dive into the adventure.  After all this is Florida!


Until next time...................                           Kathy in the Kitchen  (soon to be at the beach)