Cherish the Moments

/ Jodi

gfc-gs

I am so fortunate to be surrounded by such wonderful friends.  Earlier this week, my sweet Bubby, who lives two hours away, asked if I wanted to meet the GFC Gang halfway between our homes for a holiday lunch get-together.

Well – invite me to lunch… or coffee… or dinner… or whatever…. with friends, and I’m pretty much one to drop whatever task at hand is on my holiday staycation schedule and do it.

And so I did.

And before I left, I decided to see if my daughter-in-law and granddaughter wanted to join us.  After all, among the many other things my Bubby and I share, we became first-time grandmas only five days apart several weeks ago when each of our eldest children (sons) blessed us with grandchildren.

My daughter-in-law (much like me), said “what time are you leaving?” and happily joined us.

Well – of course Bubby immediately called her daughter-in-law, and invited her and her grandson too.

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How sweet to watch these two new moms so lovingly care for our new little loves.  (Though our cute little “C” was not in the mood to pose.  She wanted to sleep.)

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What a joy it was to share this time together.  The babies were passed around between all the ladies, and we sure enjoyed the snuggles and squiggles.

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Until the phone rang – about halfway through lunch- with the sad, sad news of the passing of my brother, who is just 13 months younger than me.

The blessing in disguise is that I was surrounded with love…
surrounded with support…
allowed to process the shock, the grief, the anger, the sadness, the anxiety…
by being with some of the people
who have grown to become family to me,
who understand the circumstances,
who help make up for the family I’ve lost.

Friendship is truly a gift to cherish.

And I sure do cherish
these sweet special ladies.

I believe life is truly all about relationships.
Please take the time to cherish the ones you love,
the ones you call friends,
the moments you share.

Those moments can be taken away from you
in a blink…
in a moment.

Today is my birthday.
I am cherishing the moments.
I hope you will too.

gfc-g-2

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

69 thoughts on “Cherish the Moments”

  4. I (along with my family) are so blessed to have you and your family in our lives. I am so glad that our impromptu lunch worked out. Being together for laughter and tears is what “framily” is for. Have the happiest of birthdays and a very happy new year! I love you!😘🎉🎂💝

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  7. Hi Jodi – I still recall hearing that my older sister had passed away (a few years ago now), but I take comfort in the times that we shared, and the laughs that we had together. It is so nice that you had so much support around you when you received that phone call, and you no doubt also have many happy memories to draw from as you adjust to your loss. Have a really wonderfully rewarding New Year, and may all your dreams come true! Take care.

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  11. Jodi, you & I sound like we are very much alike. My friends call me their impromptu friend as I am that person they can call at the last minute who will drop whatever I am doing & am always up for an adventure! I love that you are too.

    I am so sorry for the loss of your brother & hope that you continue to be surrounded by loved ones as you process your grief. These experiences are truly a reminder of how very precious life is & that we must embrace every single day as a gift to celebrate.

    Happy Birthday Jodi!

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  12. Happy Birthday Jodi!! Wishing you a day of blessed moments and may they continue throughout the year bringing you much joy!
    Gave me goosebumps as I read about you being surrounded by friends when you got the sad news about your brother. So glad that you had them there to lean on. You are so very right friends are a precious gift!!!
    Love and hugs to you my friend!

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  14. I am speechless with the events that have occurred this week….it was not happenstance that you were surrounded by the loving arms of such special women when you received such sad news. Your friend’s support and love will carry you through this sad time…..we love and CHERISH you and wish you the best birthday and new year. I know our shining “star” would be proud of you!

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  15. Life hits hard with happiness, joy and often sadness…..but today is your birthday! and you have a new granddaughter and you have friends and family surrounding you, what a blessing! I love your positive attitude and in the midst of your loss, you give your heart and a shining light….a “press on” message. Happy Birthday and a Happy New Year Jodi!

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  20. I’m so sorry Jodi. the warmth and sweetness of your network of loving support from your family and friends is a wonderful one, that you can cherish. wishing you a lovely birthday with your dear ones and the charming little Miss.

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  22. So sorry to hear about your loss and on your birthday. I’m glad you were surrounded by your loved ones at this difficult time. My thoughts and prayers will be with you over the next few days as you prepare for your brother’s funeral. Hoping that the new year brings you much joy and love.

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  23. Aww sweet Jodi, what a bittersweet birthday for you. I know too well the shock of getting news like that. My little sister was 27 when she died unexpectedly, I was 31. I am glad you were surrounded by love ones, because I got the news deboarding a plane during a layover and had to wait for fours hours to catch a different plane to my parent’s house instead of my destination. I was surrounded by strangers, unfortunately, but luckily that night I could be with my family. Hugs to you. Yes, cherish the moments.

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    • i’m so sorry kathryn. how very difficult for you. I can’t even imagine – and you were both so young. so so sorry. life can sure throw some curve balls. Yours and mine included. Strange how I didn’t cry at the time I heard and have been so distracted, but now am having a hard time holding back the tears. I think I need to just let them out. Thanks for your caring and kindness.

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  27. I’m so glad to know you were with good friends, and some family, when you got the sad news about your brother. You’re right, close friends are so valuable, and they are in many ways the family we choose. Clearly, you have chosen well!
    I hope you don’t mind, but I have another good friend who lost her brother last year, in difficult circumstances. I forwarded her a copy of the poem you wrote about your brother, thinking that the emotions you expressed so eloquently might help her. She wrote back immediately, saying she will cherish that post always. So I just wanted you to know that, even in your grief, you are helping other people through your blog. That’s a special kind of caring……

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  31. What a roller coaster of emotions, dear Jodi! Friends and family are such blessings and I am so glad that you were surrounded by love when you needed it most. Although this won’t be the kind of birthday you planned, I hope you can celebrate the sweet, little things ~ which really are the big things in life! Sending warm birthday hugs, Jodi! ♡

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  32. This was a mixture of pure bliss and happiness. It is true, though, we are given bittersweet moments to appreciate the joyful ones. So sorry about your dear, closely aged brother’s loss. I am like you, grateful for the goodness in this story. Those sweet darlings will continue to brighten your days: the friends, the DIL and best bubby’s DIL both with babies just weeks apart. ❤ 🙂

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