Potholes in the Cyber Highway
Written by Michele T on May 19, 2009 – 6:04 am -Warning: This post isn’t my normal inspiring, motivating, uplifting kind of post–it’s pretty depressing in fact so if you’d rather not feel sad, you might want to skip along the cyber highway and wait to read my next post….
Wow. Time flies by so fast….
Where I’ve Been
I haven’t forgotten about the contest I told you about– honestly. Circumstances beyond my control have kept my focus away from blogging lately. I mentioned in my last post that I’ve recently lost two cousins (only in their thirties). Well, since that posting, I’ve lost a third cousin (only 28). Major shocker. I grew up with two of these cousins and was around them all the time, so they were more than just a “cousin” or “relative”, they were extremely special to me.
I went to school with the cousin who was 32. He just didn’t wake up one morning. It was his heart. 
The 36-year-old cousin lost his life in a car accident, and the 28-year-old cousin who just passed away also lost her life in a car accident. She was like a little sister to me. She was so special and we were so much alike. I’ve been devastated and have been at a total loss for blog posts. I haven’t even been writing/blogging for editors/clients since she passed away. I’ve taken some time to try to absorb all of this. I mean, one death is one thing, but two? That was hard enough. And then a third one? And for her to be such a beautiful, special soul? That’s when I realized I had to step away from the page and just let it sit there blank. The Muse–and my creative inspiration–has taken a flying leap and deserted me. But that’s okay for now. I am relishing the quiet moments. I need them. I crave them. I am using these quiet moments to find strength, hope, and healing. I’m using them to find renewal and to fill back up on the energy I need so I can move forward. This has all been so exhausting, it’s unreal. The bad news, the services, seeing my family members and even my cousins’ friends hurting so badly, missing their loved ones so much…. And realizing I’ll never see my cousins again–not on holidays, not on family visits, and there’ll be no more opportunities to send a birthday card….
Life, Death, and What Comes After
I won’t pretend to be a genius and concoct fancy images of the after life for you to figure out. Those of you who have followed me from the beginning of this blog and who have become close to me along the cyber highway and my freelance journey know that I am a Christian. No, I don’t say it in every blog post or on every social media site. I don’t try to force my beliefs on others and I have found that even those of you who don’t believe in God at all respect me (and my walk with God) because of that. Am I ashamed? No. And those of you who know me, know that too. Some people (okay, a lot of people) disagree with me on that. They think I should shout from the rooftops that I’m a Christian. I firmly believe what my Grandmother always taught me: actions speak louder than words. I can say I’m something until I lose my voice, but if I show what I am by my actions, then you’ll know without a doubt. Simple, eh?
So, anyway… I do believe there is life after death but the life after death I’m referring to here is on this side of the world. I’m talking about those of us who are left here to pick up the pieces and to wonder why: Why did they have to die so young? Why couldn’t they have lived and why couldn’t have God taken someone else? Someone who did horrible things and who was a horrible person who hurt people? But He didn’t. He took my cousins. All of them had children. Now their children are minus a parent.
What to Do?
Sometimes there just aren’t any answers. Sometimes we have to leave it at that. We don’t know everything….
So, what do we do? What can we do? We can wake up each morning as the sun kisses our face or the rain pelts the window or the dark clouds hover over our homes and be truly thankful in our hearts that we are alive and can gobble up all the goodness that day will bring! Don’t think there’ll be any goodness in a new day? Then be the person who brings goodness to the world!
Love your family and friends as if there were no tomorrow. Remember: tomorrow may never come for some of us. We aren’t guaranteed to wake up when we go to sleep, or to make it to our destination alive when we hop in our car–or someone else’s–and drive away.
Don’t take the people you love for granted. Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today: let them know how much you appreciate them, tell them you love them instead of just assuming they already know it, buy them a beautiful (or even silly) card “just because”, make time for your loved ones–even if you don’t think you can.
There are definitely potholes in the roads of life. Nevermind them. Stop to smell the roses and enjoy the journey as best you can. Cherish every moment that you breathe. Live so that you won’t have regrets. Forgive and forget–even if it hurts. Love yourself enough to love those around you. Don’t wait until it’s too late and you can’t…
I leave you with this thought: life is a book.
Be sure to subscribe to Writing the Cyber Highway’s Feed or by e-mail! In the next couple of posts, I’ll be sharing photos and details about my visit to an old-fashioned festival where I dressed up as a pioneer woman (bonnet and all!) and also had the amazing opportunity to meet an Editor-In-Chief and an Editor. Eeek! I’ll also be posting that contest I’ve been telling you about, so keep up with me on the cyber highway! 
Photo Credit: wowacom
Tags: assignments, clients, contests, death, editors, life, Muse, news, reflection
Posted in Blogging, Michele's Life, Writers' Health, Writing Resources, Writing Thoughts | 19 Comments »
May 19th, 2009 at 1:03 pm
Life IS a book, hon. It’s full of harsh times and pain, but it’s also full of love and sweetness.
From another closet Christian, I’m sorry you’ve lost so many lovely people in your life. It sucks. I won’t insult you or God by saying it’s some grand plan and these people were somehow sacrificed to teach you something. Sometimes, good people die young and it sucks. It’s not because of any lessons or anything other than, dammit, they’re gone and you miss them.
I like that you’re listening to your mind and body right now. If alone time is what you need, take it. We’ll be here when you’re ready.
Love you, doll.
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May 19th, 2009 at 2:57 pm
Michele,
I’m so sorry to hear of this difficult time you are enduring.
Just know that your friends have you in their thoughts.
You are handling things with your usual good natured grace.
George
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May 19th, 2009 at 5:46 pm
I so sorry to read of the passing of your cousins. Beautifully written. Know that we’re out here thinking of you and saying a prayer for your loved ones.
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May 20th, 2009 at 5:12 am
Michele,
I’m so sorry for all your losses and pray for peace and healing for you and all your family.
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May 20th, 2009 at 9:32 am
Michele,
I have a cousin I grew up with and ran around with; he’s a year older than me. He’s more like a brother than a cousin. He’s been fighting many health problems the past few years due to his weight (approximately 650 pounds), which he struggles to lose, and has lost at least 100 pounds, but it’s a long road for him.
Anyway, a few years ago he was in a comma for more than two months, but pulled through. Then a few weeks ago we came very close to losing him, but once again, he pulled through. I fear everyday that we may lose him, but I hope and pray we don’t. That said, I know how much cousins who are more like brothers and/or sisters really mean to you. It is hard and you will miss them. Just hold them near to your heart and remember the good times.
My prayers are with you and your family. May God comfort you all during this difficult time.
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May 21st, 2009 at 1:54 am
Michele,
I really don’t know what to say – except to say that I will be thinking of you.
I know how you feel – back in the early 90’s I lost so many family members and friends – I still can’t comprehend it. I don’t think that I ever will.
But I know that their spirit is still here (that’s my belief – that the body dies and not the spirit) and that we will meet again one day.
I also believe that it is not meant for us to know or understand certain things – or the reason(s) why. God will reveal all things to us in his own time.
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May 21st, 2009 at 2:06 pm
This is my first time stopping by your blog and I really enjoy it. Thank you for being so open and sharing personal insights with your readers. Life is a mystery. It’s not always easy to understand why things happen, but it’s okay to accept that, to embrace the not knowing…
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May 23rd, 2009 at 12:00 am
I loved reading this! It feels so good to get all this stuff out. So sorry for all the losses you’ve had to deal with.
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May 24th, 2009 at 3:01 am
[...] Here’s what happened: I was moseying right along, 100% raw, and loving every single moment of it–every raw nut, seed, veggie, fruit, smoothie, juice, sprout… I was at a place in my raw food journey where I wasn’t craving processed junk (or even organic eggs or Greek yogurt–and those are two of my favorites!). I wasn’t feeling upset in any way that I wasn’t eating the same stuff those around me were gobbling up. I was at peace with my Raw Foodist lifestyle–and then it happened…. Tragedy after tragedy after tragedy hit my family (you can read all about it on my other blog). [...]
May 24th, 2009 at 8:59 am
I’m so sorry Michele. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Just let your big, warm, fuzzy heart do its thing. That will help you get through this.
*Hugs*
Melissa
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May 25th, 2009 at 2:27 am
My heart goes out to you. You are in my prayers and thoughts. Draw on His strength and trust his purpose, murky as it may seem at times, and know that we care.
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May 26th, 2009 at 8:10 pm
Michele, I’m so sorry to hear about all these losses – you and your family are in my heart and prayers.
But once again, you’ve taken an adverse situation and found some great truths to convey to your readers. This was a great post, with lots of food for thought
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May 27th, 2009 at 8:31 am
I’m very sorry to hear about your losses. They do sound like they were truly precious people.
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May 27th, 2009 at 7:01 pm
[...] raw food wagon. I admitted to giving in to some of my old (cooked) favorite comfort foods during the recent tragedies my family faced. Some of you have asked what exactly it is that I’ve eaten. It’s your curiosity [...]
May 30th, 2009 at 6:25 pm
Love the look of your site – are you having fun with it? Keep up the good work and good luck with your site!
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June 9th, 2009 at 9:39 pm
Oh, Michele, I hardly know what to say! I’m so sorry to hear about this and pray that God has comforted you through this exceptionally trying time.
The reason I’m so late reading this is that, at the time you wrote it, I was in the middle of dealing with a loss of my own. That’s why I can relate so closely to your pain. On May 17th, I lost my precious mother to a devastatingly fast-moving form of Alzheimer’s, after personally nursing her through the last few months of her life. It was (and still is) heartbreaking, so I have a good idea of what you’ve been through. Experiences like these change us forever.
Thanks for sharing your painful experience with us and giving us a reason to hope again. I love your post, “Life is a Book.” How true that is. Your prayer at the end of that post is so very inspiring to those of us facing painful losses. Thanks for sharing that wonderful post with us.
May you be blessed,
Jeanne
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June 16th, 2009 at 8:17 pm
[...] I’ve embarked on a longer juice fast. Things like moving to an Amish farm, the recent loss of several young family members and trying to balance my freelance writing and blogging assignments in the midst of all the chaos [...]
June 17th, 2009 at 9:31 pm
[...] I really don’t even care for coffee–honest! I started drinking it again after recent stressful events–and now I’m saying good-bye to it (again)! So, I started the day off right [...]
August 30th, 2009 at 4:54 pm
[...] on top of the other the recent tragedies I had just faced, was too much–it was all overwhelming. I ended up falling off the 100% raw [...]