Stop and Smell the Roses

I know, I know, we're just (maybe) coming out of the coldest snap to grip the entirety of North America in... some time. There are no roses. So find something else. Hug the person nearest you. Pat a puppy. Play with a kitten. Carpe diem and squeeze 'em.

We were awakened this morning by a phone call. Anytime the phone rings in the wee hours of the morning, you know it's not going to be good. It wasn't my phone. The First Reader fumbled for it, managed to answer, and I couldn't make out much of the conversation, but by the time it was over and my husband was sitting on the edge of the bed in the dark, I knew it wasn't good. The only words I'd made out on the other end of the line were 'mom died' and I wanted to know what had happened, my heart tight and heavy. It wasn't his mother. It was his ex, and one of her sons had thought to call the First Reader and let him know.

You never know what's coming. This shocked both of us, and it's left me trying to work and wrap my head around it, and I wasn't close to her. So take the time to call someone and tell them you love them. Touch base.

I'll be back. I just don't have a lot of words right now.