Life is too short. Tell them I love you

Sometimes life hits you hard and you realize that every moment in your life needs to be lived to the fullest and not taken for granted. I know in my life (as much as it hurts my pride to admit it) I take my parents for granted. I've realized this week that life brings unexpected turns and we may not be around forever.... we won't actually... its just a hard reality to face.

MOM: I want you to know I really do love you. And as much as we argue, its probably because we are alot alike (again as much as it hurts my pride to admit it). Mom you have been there for me throughout my life. You gave up your desires to take me and Corey and move with dad to a foreign country. I don't give you enough credit. Yeah as you've gotten older you are as paranoid as ever, but moving to South America to become a missionary - thats an Indiana Jones move and much more brave than what I have done in my life. You definitely deserve props for that. (I'll explain what props means later) You are always there when I need you even if I've hurt your feelings. You really are selfless and I'm sure its hard when you are raising and living with 3 people who might think about themselves too much (me, dad and brother of course). After having Kaylea you have sacrificed all of your time to help me raise her while I go to work. I wouldn't have it any other way and I don't tell you I appreciate you enough. So today I want to tell you I love you. And I do mean it. Even though we will probably argue today about something as trivial as Dancing with the Stars.

DAD: I love you too. We are alot alike in so many ways. You've put up with a lot in this life... and continue to do so. You've touched so many people in their lives. When I hear the song "Thank You" by Ray Boltz it reminds me of you. You are just one of those people who can make people feel better no matter what they are going through. God speaks through you like I've never seen him speak through anyone. I'm proud of you dad. I don't think anyone could have a better dad than you. I love you.

This has been a tough week for Eric and our family. I don't want to go into all the details on here but we lost someone close to our hearts. When something like this happens all of a sudden it really shakes up your world. I'm going to Kentucky to visit my family and my grandma on my mom's side soon as a mini vacation. I'm more thankful than ever this week that I can go visit them. I haven't spoken much to my grandma over the years but now I want to give her a big hug and let her know how much I love her and I wish I could take those years back.

Life is too short. I encourage you to tell those close to you in your life that you love them today. And give them a hug. Make every day important because it may be the last time you have to do so. Please say a prayer for us and for Eric's family as well.