I traveled home to New Mexico earlier this week.
Tuesday morning was the perfect New Mexico dawn. I miss the warmth of the sun, the dryness of the air, and the brightness of the light.
It seems that lately I’m always going back to New Mexico to say good-bye to a loved one. I suppose it’s part of getting older — yet I doubt I’ll ever get used to it. It’s times like these that cause me to reflect on my own life, and that of my family and friends. In today’s chaotic world, it’s so easy to get lost in the details of our day-to-day – email, phone calls, and the daily grind. These are all meaningless things that feel so important in the moment. But it’s days like today — when we say good-bye to a loved one, that allows us to stop and take stock of our own lives. It’s never easy to say good-bye, but I’m thankful that I’ve had the opportunity to re-connect with family and to gain a better appreciation for my life. I feel blessed that I’m surrounded by so many incredible people that I care so deeply about. It also helps me realize how much potential still exists. Each day we let another opportunity to affect the world pass us by — we’re only denying ourselves the chance to live a purposeful life.
May Stepleton lived a great life. She enjoyed good health, a loving family, and a life we all would be fortunate to live. Her smiling face, framed with that paper white hair, will forever be engraved in my memory. She personified that daily mug of hot cocoa that always awaited me at the breakfast table.
Take a moment out of your busy day and call someone you love just to say hello. Before you know it, we’ll all be out of time. You will be missed, Grandma.
