You think you know…

I debated on whether or not to write this blog post, but I thought if it could serve as a reminder to anyone to always say I love you, hug a family member extra tight, or make that phone call just to say hello, then it would be worth it.

When I woke up last Wednesday morning, I thought I knew exactly what my day would be. Blogging, gym, coffee with a friend, babysitting… a standard Wednesday. But sometimes life has a funny way of reminding you that there’s so much more outside of your day-to-day routine.

Last Wednesday I woke up to a slew of missed calls & texts to find out that my grandfather had passed away. He lived a great, long life and I was so happy to have gotten to spend time with him over the past few years. My mom’s father, “Grandpop Tice” to us kids, lived in Oregon so we didn’t get to see him all the time, but when we did, it was always time well spent & treasured. In 2011, my family got to take a trip out to Oregon to visit Grandpop Tice to see where he lived with his wife, Carol, and to spend time with them. Then my wedding was the following summer, and I was fortunate enough to have him & Carol travel all the way to the East Coast to be there. Taking that family trip & having him be there for our wedding means more now than ever.

Needless to say, last Wednesday did not go how I expected. I spent the day talking with family & left on the next plane out of Boston to Tampa, Florida, where my mom was visiting my brother when she got the news. Spending time with my mom & brother in the days followed was invaluable… I got to watch her & my brother play tennis together, we got to have great conversation over meals & just be together celebrating the life of my grandfather. Sometimes it’s so easy to get caught up in the day-to-day things and my focus becomes so zoned in… answering e-mails asap and my blogging schedule and what’s happening on Facebook all seem important until God comes along with reminders of perspective. You know what’s important? Family. Family is important. Last Wednesday nothing else seemed relevant. I didn’t care about my e-mail inbox or Instagram. I cared about my family and being with them. Luckily, I have such great clients that were so understanding of me putting my work & responses on hold while I dropped everything & spent the end of last week with my mom.

The Crowley Family & Grandpop Tice :)

Grandpop Tice & my Mom on our 2011 Trip to Gold Beach, Oregon