Call Your Mom & Dad

I received a text today from a friend who lost her Mom unexpectedly. Two weeks ago we were laughing and joking about the texts her Mom was sending about some remodeling her parents were doing, and now her Mom is gone. So, so difficult. Life seems stable and normal, and then, in an instant, it isn't. My thoughts go out to her family. 

This came just a few days after a text from Sib4 letting me know her father-in-law had passed. In that case the family at least had some warning -- and happily BiL4 had flown out to visit just the week before -- but it's still no fun to lose a parent. He was a lovely person. He'll be missed. 

It could just be me, but losing a parent is very strange. Life seems stable and normal, and then it isn't. Someone who you've known and been tied to for your entire life is suddenly gone. It can take a long, long time to be normal again. Of, if you're like me, you adapt but then something happens -- like, say, a cancer diagnosis -- and you're again reminded of the loss when you realize that you can't call your Mum, even though you'd really like to talk to her.  

So in honor of my friend who can no longer call her Mom and my BIL who can't call his Dad, if you're lucky enough to still have parents, you should give them a call.* See how they're doing, and let them know how you are. Trust me when I say, they won't be around forever. 

But don't take my word for it. Take it from Academy Award winner J.K. Simmons...

And my sympathies to anyone dealing with the recent loss of a parent. 

* Those of you with tragic upbringings involving questionable parenting decisions can, of course, take a pass.