AUTHOR: Anonymous TITLE: Seize the Moment ~ Cherish the Moment DATE: 5:58:00 PM ----- BODY:

About three-and-a-half weeks ago, my sister-in-law (in Portland, OR) emailed saying that her dad, Jim, wasn't feeling too well and went to the hospital for observation. The next day, Tuesday, they discovered he had too much calcium in his system, causing confusion. Wednesday they found out that he had lung lesions. Thursday they discovered that he had bone, pancreas, and liver involvement. Friday they did a head CT to find out if there was brain involvement and then they transferred him from the hospital to a care center. He passed away Friday. Why oh why didn't I respond to or call right after receiving that email?! What was I doing that was so important that I couldn't take a moment to acknowlege his illness and offer help or encouragement to my brother's family? Seize each and every moment, my friends; you never know what tomorrow will bring. ~~~ As many of you know, my son is now 14 and very teenagery. As he has gotten older, the sweet boy has started to be covered up with "cool." Needless to say, spontaneous demonstrations of affection are few and far between. Last year, as I shared in my December 22, 2003 rant - I mean, post, Gabriel's 13th birthday turned out to be such a disappointment. This year, although I counseled otherwise, Gabriel was not willing to wait until after the Christmas holidays to celebrate, so birthday party planning commenced. The party of choice this year was Laser Tag! So invitations went out and the big day arrived - and so did the guests, with gifts in hand. I was so relieved. After a couple games of laser tag, candle blowing, cake eating, and gift opening, all the boys were cut loose to run wild in the video arcade. Gabriel came up to me sweaty and smiling and said, "Mom, this is the best birthday party ever!" He then gave me a big hug and kiss - in the middle of arcade, teeming with teenagery boys and girls. Wow! Cherish the moment, my friends, cherish the moment.

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