Loss

The funny part is, much as I adore these lil’ habs, visually speaking, I am not about to eat one! Seems they register at 300,000+ Scoville Units, which apparently is the measurement of heat.

And contrary to what some people might think: I am delicate.

: )

I have been thinking about loss, here lately. One of my friends lost her mother this past week, and while the death was somewhat expected, I am not certain anyone is ever prepared for it. I have made my friend a card out of one of my photos from the previous post, and I will include some of my words; I doubt that they will make a dent in her sadness, but I hope they might help, just a little, to remind her that she is loved.

(That is what you realize you miss the most when you lose one of your parents: Their love. Other people in this big, bad world might love you, but no one loves you like your parents love you. Unconditionally ... even if they have to threaten you within an inch of your life, sometimes, just to get their point across.)

: )

The leaders of a band I like lost their dog last week, and they wrote about it here. And so far this year, many friends of mine, as well as my sister, have said farewell to a pet. And they all continue to grieve the loss of their four-legged pals.

I have friends who have lost love, too. Not because the person they loved has died, but because, somehow, somewhere, in some way, feelings changed. No one’s fault, really; sometimes, things just work out that way.

Hurts like hell, though.

: (

Times of loss force you to take stock of what you do have.

Before I started this post, I decided I wanted some water. Some bottled water. So I decided to take a little stroll (trust me, it’s a VERY little stroll) over to the vending machine at Ben’s place, where I usually get a bottle of Coke or sometimes Sprite, but tonight it was a bottle of Dasani.

I am grateful for that vending machine — it’s kinda like having my own personal soda fountain or something.

: )

I am grateful, too, for my health and my happy nature, and my family and friends, out there in the real world and in here in the virtual world, and especially wherever and whenever the two happen to meet. I am grateful for my job. And for my tendency not to take anything in life too seriously ... except when I need to.

I am grateful for this life and for the ability to make the most of it.