ZAK WELLERMAN

As cheesy as it sounds, we don’t know what tomorrow will bring, good or bad.”

The loss of a family member is definitely saddening and devastating. But it also gives the chance to look back at the great memories and see how important it is to spend time with those who are here now.

Last week, I was reminded of the importance of spending time with family members and friends when we lost my grandmother. As much time I as we did get to spend with her, it becomes brief when realizing the person is not coming back again.

I think we often take for granted the shortness of life. Whether it’s taken away slowly or out of nowhere, people should realize the fragility and rapidness of time. As cheesy as it sounds, we don’t know what tomorrow will bring, good or bad. It’s necessary to share the time we have with people who mean something to you and their life

Someone could be gone in a second or have a long lifetime on Earth. No matter how long or short, they need to know they’re cared about and they meant something to the world in some capacity. We should do things that will have relevance for years, not minuscule events that have an effect for just an hour or a day.

People can get consumed in trivial matters of having the best possessions, winning every competition or persuading in favor of one political side. In the end, many of those kind of things have no relevance.

Happiness and the memories made throughout life are what should take precedence over arguments and differences of opinion.

As author Dr. Seuss said, “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened;” you want to be able to recognize that over the years you have memories to laugh at and look at as learning experiences. Family is one of the best things a person can be given in life. We should cherish them and remember that we don’t have them forever. So I’ve learned to be respectful of the time shared and hope that when the end comes the happy memories can create smiles.