Cherish Each Moment

Unfortunately, this is going to be a sad blog post. You see, only hours after I posted by last entry, one of the most influential men in my life breathed his last. This man was Richard Hart Hughes. The one I called Poopa - Grandpa Dick. Only hours after finally realizing that my life needed to progress without a thought to the past, I was hit with an emotional freight train. While riding his bike on a beautiful fall day with the woman he loved more than anyone in this world, Grandpa Richard suffered from a heart attack due to a blood clot. The effect was instant. No last words, kisses, or hugs were able to be given in the last moments. A man who was healthy and strong was simply gone in an instant.


However, in order for all of you to understand why this was such a shocking blow, you need a bit of context. Why was my grandpa so great anyway? Allow me to explain.. and for my sake, I'm going to use present tense. To start, Grandpa Dick is a man of integrity. He stands by everything that he says. Never is there a question about if he is going to follow through. He is loving. After fifty-two years of marriage, he loves Grandma Kay with everything he has. He still loves to hold her hand, kiss her on the cheek, and make her feel like the only woman in the world. And truly, she is the only woman in his world. She is his queen. Not only does he love Grandma Kay, he loves each and every one of us. He always stands by us, encourages us, and supports us. He takes Noah golfing almost everyday, simply because it is an opportunity for them to have quality time. He was there when Noah shot his first hole-in-one - a moment that will never be forgotten. Grandpa Dick is also funny. He loves to joke around and make others laugh - even if it is at his expense. One of the most frequent jokes often revolves around his balding head.. He would always tell us that one day he is going to grow a long pony-tale and be a true bad-to-the-bone biker. Another more recent laugh came from his new pair of neon green crocs. He stood in front of the family and, pointing to the infamous footwear, asked the serious question, "gay or not gay?" He is also someone to be admired for his gusto for life. At the ripe age of 76, he rides his bike for distances up to forty miles. He loved to kayak, bike, and hike. He explored every corner of the world. He and Kay travel across the country in their motor home, simply enjoying the different scenery that each place has to offer.


With this in mind, I can move onto the main reason why this loss struck me at such a pivotal point in my life. The dominating feeling that I experienced when I heard the news was regret. While this is typical for many who lose a loved one suddenly, it was stronger for me. The entire time that Grandpa Dick and Grandma Kay stayed with us this summer I was wrapped up in myself and my own problems. I was focussing all of my energy on someone who did not put any effort into me. I was loving someone in vain. I wasted so much time on myself that I had not time to put into spending time with those who truly do care about me. I pushed everyone aside. I did not play every card game, go to every bonfire, or watch every movie with my grandparents. I let these precious moments slip away. The last summer ever to be had with my favorite "young man" was lost because of my selfishness. In the aftermath of this, I felt terrible. I cried both inwardly and outwardly knowing that he would never know how sorry I am. He would never know how much I loved him. How much I respect him. How much I miss hearing his voice. How much I regret everything I did in these last months. But there is one thing I can be confident about, he knew me and loved me inspire of my short comings.. because that's what grandpas do. They wrap their children in their arms and love them anyway. The last hug I ever received from him was especially important. It was right before he and Grandma Kay pulled out of our driveway, onto another adventure. He pulled me close and whispered in my ear, "I always want the best for you. You'll get through this. I love you. Remember that." I can't help but cry just thinking about this.


Although it is tragic that it had to come to this, these events have opened my eyes to the reality. Life is too short to love those who don't care. Love those who love you, because you just never know how much time you have. Don't waste time, effort, and emotion on anyone else. Live every moment with passion. Show those you care about how much you love them everyday - don't let time slip away. There are few things that matter in comparison to family. Nothing is worth wasting time over. Life is simply too short to be anything but happy. I'm heartbroken over the loss of this wonderful man, but also eternally grateful for the lesson that I have learned through this experience. While I know that I will fall short again, my new goal in life is to be the person I want to be each day. I do not want another loved one to leave this earth without knowing that I loved them with everything I have.


I hope that this post inspires others to love those around them as well. Do not let a single moment pass by. Learn from Grandpa Richard - a man of integrity, love, and zeal for life.

Psalm 23

A psalm of David.

¹ The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
²     He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
³     he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
    for his name’s sake.
⁴ Even though I walk
    through the darkest valley,^[a]
I will fear no evil,
    for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me.

⁵ You prepare a table before me
    in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
    my cup overflows.
⁶ Surely your goodness and love will follow me
    all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
    forever.