Life is not a chore. Life is a gift.

I got to thinking today of living with gratitude for the people in our lives--especially our family members. My friend Melinda lost her mom on Tuesday. She was younger than my mom! I cannot imagine how hard that would be--I felt, at one time, that I might lose Mom and Dad both. That was a scary, suffocating feeling--not having my parents around to talk to everyday, or my children not growing up with their grandparents in their lives. I also heard from my friend Debby yesterday--she has been approved for six weeks of 5-day-a-week radiation therapy. Again--I can't imagine how scary that must be. Fighting such an aggressive cancer at just 37! Again--gotta be grateful for every day!

So, three lessons--

1- Be grateful for EVERY DAY. Make the most of each day. Enjoy each day. Experience each day with gusto. Life is not a chore! Life is a gift!

2- Tell the people you love, "I love you." Put it into words--as often as possible.

3- Don't hold grudges. It wastes energy, and what does it get you? And you just might end up regretting it!