Bitter Sweet 16

It is crazy to think that it would have been been my nephew Diego's 16th birthday today.

He died suddenly, a natural death, at the tender age of 8.



I think sometimes, what is there to learn from his death???
Ever learning.


I tell myself so often to appreciate family and friends.
And again, to NOT take anything for granted.
Because we never know when the good Lord will take them.
To their true home.


I try hard to enjoy our kids.
Never taking them for granted.
Which is hard at times.
But, I do try.
To let them live the life that was meant for them.
Not to have them be what I want them to be.
Or do what I think they should do.
To support them in their passions.


Somehow, someway, it has led our family to unschooling.
I think Diego's death had something to do with this path.
The road less traveled.


Kids keep us young and make us look to the future.
I love their-
goofiness.
tenderness.
love.
tantrums.
Yes, even their tantrums.

Their-
creativity.
playfulness.
willingness to learn.
lack of patience.
happiness.
independence.
kindness.
and their life.


I tell myself to not be sad that Diego is not here.
He is in heaven and enjoying all of it, I'm sure.
Whatever all of it--means.
And someday I will reunite with him.
What a GRAND day that will be.



But I sure miss that kid.
Yesterday, today, and always.
Here on earth.
A LOT.

Life is too short…

This is a blog that I don’t even know how to begin to write….but I want to write something to tell people that life is too short and not to take it for granted. Never take people you love for granted, especially the children in your lives. People think they don’t take things for granted, but we all do at times.

I will start with the fact that things the past few days have not been easy for my family or for many I know, including friends that are like family to us. On this past Friday our friends had a child die in an accident and leave their lives forever. So that I don’t have to explain details that I probably would be horrible at explaining. Here are a couple of links to the details…

GONE. An article here and a video with our good friends here.

My heart aches for the family of Brevin Kramer. This accident hit me harder than I imagined it would, as I did not see Brevin for quite some time. I saw his parents and siblings a couple of weeks ago at my friend’s birthday party, but he wasn’t there as he was spending time with a friend. But I think it hit me harder for many reasons…

Brevin’s death brings back memories and feelings I had when my nephew Diego died over four years ago. Diego died from more natural causes. But still, it is so weird to me that both Brevin and Diego were both at the tender age of 8 when they died. They both were visiting from out of town, visiting family, died at the same hospital, died suddenly, and died on the 26th (see how much I’ve analyzed this?!?).

I believe they are both in a better place now; heaven. But, they are still both greatly missed.

Please keep us and Brevin’s family and friends in your prayers.

Give ALL the children in your life lots of hugs, kisses, love, and attention.

Life is really just too short.