Like Sand through an Hourglass

This title refers to life being short – like slipping sand through the hourglass. Do you feel like you don’t have enough time to finish things?  Well, I do, and quite often.  I know that I don’t use my time wisely.  I procrastinate with things I should accomplish today – thinking tomorrow will always be there – but it won't.

A recent example of this is the young woman who died tragically in the severe storms that rolled through Houston and the surrounding area this week.  Thinking rationally - with the winds descending on her area of town – she thought it was a good idea to move her vehicle out of the way of an old oak tree sitting on the other side of the driveway – she went out and moved her vehicle in case the tree should fall.  She jumped in the car, and the tree came crashing down on her car and killed her.

The saddest part of the story is that she was a mother of four children, one of whom was an infant.  My heart has been breaking for her family.  She wasn’t doing anything crazy; she wasn’t risking her life, or so she thought.  She was being rational; it made sense to move the car.

My point is that our sands of time in the hourglass could be short, or it could be extended, it could be filled with pain and sorrow, or it could be full of fun and adventure.

As I am writing this blog, one of my dearest friends, the woman to whom I give credit with my writing, is on her deathbed in hospice care after she fought the good fight against Parkinson’s Disease for over twenty years.  During her battle, she never lost her sense of humor.

She was my next-door neighbor in Denver.  She also has two beautiful daughters and five grandchildren.

Diane was my inspiration.  She constantly read new books and suggested the ones she thought were necessary for me to read.  She was creative.  She stepped out of her box with her writing.  One funny story – while several neighborhood couples went to dinner, we ordered drinks, and she asked each of us to share our most embarrassing moment.  That was met with many laughs and several “No way!”  A few decided to talk, and the laughter only stopped when the food arrived.

I will truly miss Diane, but I’m relieved she will no longer suffer.  She was a trooper—a real cheerleader.  I will never forget the laughs over a cup of tea that we shared often.  Diane’s legacy will continue as I plan to devote my memoir to her and the honest critique I received.

Diane did a lot for me.  Many of us need a cheerleader.  Someone who will root you on no matter the circumstances.  Someone who sees the glass half full – not half empty.  Someone who knows you and is determined to get you back on track with your dreams, your hopes, and your ideas.

I hope each one of you has that type of friend.  And I hope you are that type of friend to someone else.  If you feel so inclined, please leave comments to share with the readers about your someone.

Have a blessed week!

All my best,

Julie Folkerts

Sprinkle Kindness Around Like Confetti