Getting used to the inevitable

Yesterday after work I went to collect my son Charlie from my Dad's. They were watching old video's from the early 1990's.  In one clip showing my middle child Tina's Christening 4 of the 8 people in the video have since died.  It was quite hard to watch actually.  My Mum was there being loud and silly, just as if she was here right now - my Grandma was there loving her great grand children, an Uncle cracking jokes with Dad, the minister who was a friend of the family listening and laughing at Dad's speech - all gone now.  That old expression of there only being two definite things in life - taxes and death - leapt to mind.   You'd think that because it's a certainty we'd get used to it.  We'd toughen up about losing loved ones, but we don't do we? What's that all about?  I think it might simply be because we don't know if our paths will ever cross again - even those with faith must have moments of wondering if they are going to be with the ones they've laughed, cried and made memories with ever again.  Never, ever again is a tough thought.
I looked quite grumpy at times in the video. In another clip Mum and I were watching my girls throwing snowballs at Grandad in the garden, it was funny seeing my then 54 year old Dad running away from his 3 and 4 year old grand daughters.  How much I wished I could be catapulted back to that moment and stop myself being a moody madam, weighed down by working and looking after 2 little people looked like it was taking it's toll - but that moment has passed and what loss has taught me is that I owe it to myself and those I love to be aware of the preciousness of the time we have with each other.  Life is so incredibly transient, pay attention to those that matter, and enjoy every opportunity to make memories that will stay with you long after those you love have left this life.
"When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive - to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love." - Marcus Aurelius