A Personal and Professional Challenge

I have a personal and professional challenge for whoever reads this blog. Tell the ones you love and admire how much they mean to you without taking it for granted there will be plenty of time for that later.

Make sure your family, friends, former friends, colleagues, and teammates know that you love them, miss them, appreciate them, or whatever the case may be.

I have a sister-in-law fighting for her life right now as brain tumors and cancer are ravaging her body and it's just unbelievably sad to see her and the family going through this. Molly is the kindest person you'd ever want to meet. She is sweet and always friendly to everyone. She's the kind of aunt, sister, and sister-in-law that will drive 5+ hours to watch her nieces in a dance recital....that would drive 2 hours to see her nephews play football and basketball. Molly always puts others first. She is selfless.

She's a wonderful mother of Katie, who just graduated from Omaha Skutt. She's a loving sister that works hard to be there for all five of her siblings. She's a caring daughter that will help her parents at a moment's notice. She makes the world a better place with her kindness.

I have had some great times with Molly and I want some more. When I've been lucky enough to have some one-on-one conversations with her or go shopping with her, it was always a lot of fun. Molly just makes you feel better. Her kindness resonates with you. Most of the times I've been around my sister-in-law, Molly, there were always lots of others around as well. The in-law's house fills up pretty good at Thanksgiving, Christmas, and special family celebrations. I always got to spend time with Molly but it was 4-minutes here and 12-minutes there. On many a trip back home over the years, I would often tell myself, "Gosh, I didn't get to spend a lot of time with Molly but I will make a point to visit more with her at Christmas, or Easter, or over the summer."

I should've done a better job of making sure Molly knows how much I love her, admire, and appreciate her. I will be sure to do that tomorrow in the hospital but I should have done it years ago when she welcomed me into the family with open arms. I should have done it each Christmas.

So, as we embark on another school year and our lives are super busy and the challenges pile up, don't lose sight of the people you love, admire, and respect. Don't get too busy to let them know. Don't be afraid to reach out to family or friends and re-connect in a way that fills your heart. Life can be cruel and short.

God bless Molly and you and your loved ones as well.