please, please, please- don’t wait
There is no other way I can say it besides now is the time.
Like right this minute.
If there’s something you’ve been wanting/wishing/trying to muster up the energy, confidence, “right time” for- start today.
If you’ve really wanted to make a change for a long time but haven’t gotten around to it- start today.
If you’ve been meaning to clear your schedule to take care of something important to you- start today.
If you have the choice to take an hour to spend with yourself, with your partner, your kids, your friends, neighbor, your aunt, your uncle, your grandparent your parents, your dog, or your frog, and ditch on that never-ending to-do list or time-wasting work meeting- do it today.
If you love someone and haven’t told them in a while, stop anything and everything you might be doing right now and pick up the phone and tell them, go next door and hug them, get in your car and drive to them, open up Skype and blow kisses through the screen at them, write them a letter, run outside and scream it out loud…
…while you can.
Today I have to say goodbye to this smiling face:
…who’s been in my life since I was a middle-school kid.
Katie, my constant hometown friend of years and years who was a most amazing sweet, kind, genuine, generous, selfless, happy, funny and positive person- passed away last week. The above photos were taken during my BLR Play It Forward event time last year in Vermont.
I didn’t get home in time to see her this summer, and she lost her fight before our coffee date that was scheduled for this week.
My heart feels ripped to shreds, but Katie inspires me to share this:
Don’t wait. Life is so short. We get busy, we think tomorrow will come for sure, we always think we have more time- and sometimes we don’t. Please give yourself a gift by reaching out to your loved ones to tell them what they mean to you. Follow your heart, your dreams, your crazy ideas. Go do, be, see, laugh, love, live it up. Be courageous. Fear is nothing. Nothing is scary until you lose someone you love so much and no longer have an option to spend time together.
Remember what’s important, celebrate the memories you have, and live like today is the day.
Thank you, Katie for bringing so much joy to this world and so much light to my life. I promise to live, love, and celebrate everyday I have. You will always be in my heart.
MaryAnn Percey
July 7, 2015 at 4:27 pmI did not personally know Katie, but each and every time our paths crossed she always had a smile on her face and a “hello, how are you?”
My heart breaks for Brad and her two beautiful girls..
bluelollipoproad
July 9, 2015 at 8:03 pmThank you everyone for sharing your memories and love. She was a beautiful person and will be with us forever in our hearts.
Jaci Brillon
July 7, 2015 at 5:21 pmThinking of you, Kait’s family, friends, and our community. She had such an amazing spirit. We are crushed.
Such beautiful pictures. I am sending you hugs!!
Chris Croff
July 7, 2015 at 7:42 pmKatie was the sweetest person one could get to know. I had the blessing of seeing her & talking to her about her wonderful parents, Dr. John & Diane McLellan. I told her of my “delivery” day adventures having had her Dad deliver 2 of my sons. I told her how her Mom named my third child, a son, now 40, Kistopher, because he was born on Mother’s Day, May 11, 1975. My name is Christine, & after telling her over & over I didn’t want to name him after myself, she said, then spell it with a K, Kristopher! I was exhausted from delivery, it was her & Doc’s Anniversary, so I caved & named him Kristopher. Best thing I ever did, the name fits him perfectly! Kate & I just shared this story again at the Bershire Dance Recital, June 28. My fifth child, born, April 10, 1983, was born on Diane’s birthday & Doc delivered. Kate told me how her Dad predicted the day & weight of her baby daughter, she was beaming with pride. I had the pleasure of seeing her Saturday mornings, 2014, when Bryn & my granddaughter, Aubrey, took dance lessons, & 2015, Monday afternoons for dance. The dance waiting room will be missing a very kind, gentle, compassionate friend of all. Peace be with you, dear Kaitlin. You are missed!
Heath
July 8, 2015 at 12:37 amYou are absolutely right! A year and a half ago I almost met my untimely end, and it changed me so fundamentally. While I am still struggling back to a healthy state of being, I am better then what I was a year and a half ago. I found that there is not way that I am waiting to experience things any more. I hug my little bro, and nieces and nephews when ever I get a chance. I tell people I love them more often, because when I died I had left so much of that stuff unsaid. I have also closed some doors on old grievances I had in the past, and try not to create new issues now. I try to do more, I have adopted a new healthier outlook on life. I fight and a struggle everyday, but I know that I am becoming better. So yes Diane you are absolutely right, there may not be time tomorrow, so now is the time to do what you want because tomorrow is not promised. I knew Katie, and it was really sad to hear of her passing, it is a real loss when someone that genuinely kind is lost from a world that always needs more kindness. God bless Diane.
bluelollipoproad
July 8, 2015 at 7:50 pmThank you so much for sharing your story! It is so great that you have taken a scary experience and turned it positive. As you said, Katie was a truly kind person and we are all better for knowing her.
Here’s to living better and loving more- in honor of Katie and all the joyful ones gone too soon.
Lynn Canales
September 7, 2015 at 12:59 pmI saved this on my timeline and find myself looking at her picture and reading what you posted often.A beautiful person who is so missed.
bluelollipoproad
September 7, 2015 at 11:20 pmHi Lynn,
Thank you so much for sharing. I often look at her picture too. Cannot believe it has been 2 months already. I’m so glad to know so many people loved her like me. She was really something special and will always live in my heart.
Sending you hugs-
Diane