When I was younger, I didn't understand the concept of death. I wasn't aware that one day my grandpa would not be here and that I would not be able to visit my great grandma anymore. Being older and understanding that death is a very finalized stage, I appreciate my family and friends much more. Just recently, my uncle died very unexpectedly and it was a wake up call for me. I realized I was not spending as much time with my family as I needed. I wasn't familiar with their everyday lives like I used to be and I wanted to change that. I started to become more aware of what I saw and experienced every day in life.
I wanted to take advantage of every moment I had with my family. I started to appreciate the smallest things while I could. Sitting outside with my grandma during the evening and having long talks started to become a regular thing. Playing in the pool with my niece and nephews was a repeated event as well. I also began to go more places with my mom. I began to visit my memaw and pepaw more often. Spending more time with them made me realize how in love they are; as I type this I see them outside talking and laughing together. And those moments that you're not a part of, appreciate them, too. Be happy you get to witness love and kindness in the purest form. Be happy you get to watch your dad laugh his ass off on the roller coaster because he's so excited. Be happy you get to watch your mom be proud of herself after she cooked a new recipe. I used to take those small moments for granted and I'm so happy I don't anymore.
Appreciate your friends, too. You can have some of the best memories with them. Some people are not meant to stay in your life even if you want them to. That's not a bad thing, but sometimes life goes different ways for different people. That's why you should hold those people close while you have them. They can teach you things about yourself that you would have never realized if it were not for them. And just because they're not your family does not mean they can't be treated as such. Appreciate your boyfriends and girlfriends, appreciate how they taught you how you should be treated, and what you should tolerate and shouldn't. The love people can give you is amazing, even when you know you won't have them forever. Appreciate the friends that turn into family and fondly remember the ones that don't. Even if things left off on a bad note, you were friends for a reason.
Death isn't the only reason to appreciate what and who you have in life. When you appreciate those small moments and everything else, your quality of life becomes better. You're no longer focused on the negative aspects of life as much and you learn to find happiness where you wouldn't think you would find it before. So again, appreciate and don't take anything for granted anymore. Love whoever you can while you can. Show them your love and kindness and accept theirs in return. Life doesn't have to be perfect, but it can be in those few seconds with those you love and who love you.
