In a world of Facebook
In a world of Facebook, you can learn about a plethora of things instantly. Nevertheless, some things do not seem to be appropriate status posts. I never wanted to learn about the death of my Aunt in such a way, but that is how I did learn about it. Her grandkids had posted something about it on Facebook before my parents got the chance to tell me.
My father’s eldest sister, Henrietta, had been sick in the hospital for a few weeks. My parents had spent a lot of time visiting her during that time and they would keep me and my siblings updated.
Maybe they were trying to protect me, as they often do when it comes to things like this, but I never once got the impression from talking to them that my Aunt Rett was dying. As a result, I thought that we had more time. I felt cheated to find out there was no time at all.
If anything, I probably thought that Aunt Rett was near invincible. I am talking about a woman who had a health issue before I was even born that left her with impaired speech and paralysis on the left side of her body. Still, she was vibrant, fiesty, fun, and strong. Her dying was the last thing that I expected.
I guess that this is just a reminder that we do not know what tomorrow will bring. Like James said:
James 4:13-16
King James Version (KJV)
13Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain:
14Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.
15For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.
As a reminder, remember to make the most of the moment. If you love someone, tell them so. Tell them often, and more importantly show them. You never know if it is the last time that you will see them.
You will be missed, Dear Aunt Rett.
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