It is 8:55 pm on a beautiful dark peaceful night. I am alone in the parking lot as I am carrying a chair from the store to my car. I need to keep busy. I need to keep my mind occupied. I have felt grief for days and tomorrow I have to be a pumped-up, motivational speaker. I have to get it together. I have worked, cooked, cleaned and now, I am decorating.

Darren and I lost one of our best friends. A man we loved like a brother and our children called “Uncle Rob”. I am trying to focus on the 90%s and all of the happy memories. I look up at the dark night sky filled with stars and smile. Rob loved a star-filled sky. I will miss him but I know he is at peace. Time to get this chair home.

Breaking the silence, a car pulls into the parking lot blaring Adele’s song, Hello. The lines, “Hello from the other side. I must have called a thousand times” are playing. The emotion of the past week takes over. I put the chair down in the parking lot and sit on it overwhelmed with my grief. What a sight that must have been!

I did eventually get it together and spoke the next day. As I sat in the airport, met the banquet staff and audience members, I was very mindful of how I felt. I felt more compassion for others.  I love people and something about this difficult time made me love them even more. We all go through 10% times in our lives.

My dad has a saying, “Leave everyone like you may never see them again.” Be mindful of how you treat people. Speak kindly, hug them, feed them, drop by, call and love them. You will never regret that.

So in this love-filled month that is my challenge to you. Love others like you may never see them again.

Love,