#7 Don't forget to tell the people close to you that they are loved

Don't forget to tell the people close to you that they are loved

*I am not including actual names in this blog simply for the purpose of keeping my family’s privacy.

Today was one of the best days I have had for a while. Everything went so well, at least for me. There were many people that didn't have the best day today but I didn't let that change how mine was going.

Tonight while I was at my cousin’s birthday party I got an urgent call from my aunt. She didn't tell me what was wrong; she just asked me if I was with my mom and if she could talk to her. From the sound of her voice I knew that something was wrong. I handed my mom the phone and as my aunt talked to my mom I saw the joy drop away from my mom’s face. I became very nervous. My mom continued to talk to my aunt for a few more seconds then hung up grabbed her purse and rushed outside. I was still nervous, and now very curious, so I jumped up from my seat and followed my mom outside. She was checking her voice mail with a very confused look on her face. At the time, I thought that something was wrong with my aunt, like maybe she was sick or something. When my mom got done listening to her voice mail I asked her what was wrong with my aunt and she said that it wasn't her that it was my uncle.

I couldn't think of anything that would be wrong with my uncle, his life just seemed so easy going and happy. Next my mom called my uncle and talked to him for about ten minutes. Hearing my mom speak to my uncle made me so entirely nervous. I couldn't really tell what was wrong; I just knew that it had to do with my aunt, my uncle’s wife. Once my mom was off the phone I asked her what happened.

Before I tell you what happened, let me explain some things about my aunt so that you might better understand what I am going to tell you. My aunt has lymes disease. It is something that she has dealt with for a very long time that makes her life very difficult. She has had to take so many medications and worry constantly about everything in her life. The time has drawn near for her to get her next dose of medication but the medication costs a very large sum of money that she just doesn't have. My aunt is a gentle soul, as is her husband. They live in Northern California where my uncle trains horses. Being that my aunt enjoys a simple life, lymes is hard for her because it forces her to pay extra close attention to everything she does.

This morning my aunt decided that she just couldn't take it anymore and decided that she was going to attempt suicide by taking a large amount of pills. After taking the pills she changed her mind about things and called a friend to take her to the hospital. My aunt has now been in the hospital all day as the doctor’s work swiftly to remove the drugs from my aunts system.

This is not something that I could have ever imagined my aunt trying. She always seems so very happy. I find it very hard to understand the dark place that a person must be in to try and take their own life.

When I got home all I could think about was my Aunt. I sat and thought about how maybe, just maybe, if I would have told her that I loved her today or yesterday, maybe she wouldn't have decided to try and take her own life. This leads me to my rule about life for this blog.

We can't always expect for people that we truly care about to just know that we love and care for them. As of today, I will take advantage of ever opportunity I have to tell the ones I care about that I love them. You never know when the ones you love will be taken away from you.

So there you have it kids, this year be sure you Don't Forget To Tell the People Close To You That They Are Loved, it just might save someone’s life.

I know that suicide is something that people really don't agree with, including me. However, regardless of your opinions or beliefs I would really appreciate it if you avoided those types of comments. Thank you.