Two people, one week. It's simply coincidence, but both died from chronic illnesses out of their control and at too young of an age. These tragedies happen every day to all sorts of people and as unfair as it seems, that's life. But all too often, we forget how much we appreciate and have learned from those people, UNTIL THEY'RE GONE.

The two people I lost were very different, but both shared the same love for people. They each had a passion to care for people. Each of them inspired people in such a unique way and gave the people around them a sense of hope. They were kind, joyful, and passionate. They saw the best in everyone they met. Both also lived their lives in a way that not only made themselves happy, but they made others happy.

Too often we go through our days, thinking only about ourselves, our worries, fears, problems, etc... We're such a self-centered society. We get into routines that inhibit us from pursuing our dreams and passions. We get up, go to school/work, come home, sleep and then do it all over again the next day. We're always worried about how much money we make and what others think about us. WE FORGET TO LIVE. We forget to do the things that make us happy. We forget to do things to make others happy. We forget to spend time with the ones we love. We forget to thank others for doing even the simplest of things for us. We forget that we aren't the only ones on this planet who deserve to be treated with kindness and respect. WE ARE TOO CAUGHT UP WITH THE FUTURE, WE FORGET TO LIVE IN THE PRESENT.

You never know when it could be someone's last day or your own. What would you say to the people you love? How would you act differently if you knew they were going to be gone? More importantly, how would you live, if you knew that you only had a little time left? Choose to live your life, giving whatever you can of yourself. Make others happy. Find your passions and pursue them. LIVE IN THE MOMENT. Appreciate your friends and loved ones. Put down the electronics, stop staring at a screen and go appreciate the outdoors. Travel. Make music. Whatever you like to do, do it and help others out along the way.

You never know when you're going to live your last day, so live every day as if it were your last.

In loving memory of:

Shannon Heath

Lost October 24, 2016

Kathryn Hobbs, M.D.

Lost October 25, 2016