I missed this when originally posted, too. But like several others, I can speak to this firsthand. Things can happen in an instant, there is no way to prepare for it. Tomorrow is never a given, so cherish every single day and treat it as a gift from above.
DH passed unexpectedly from a massive heart attack on Mother's Day 2014. No signs, no symptoms, sitting on his buddy's tailgate holding the hose, while his friend finished detailing his boat prior to launch. He'd had minor surgery 4 months prior, and had clean bill of health from his doctor (who re-read his chart numerous times, looking for any tell-tail evidence), and all his pre-op tests -- stress test, EKG/ECG (can't remember which), chest x-ray, the whole gamut. No cholesterol issues, no blood pressure issues, nothing, and he was physically fit, not muscular, but he ran roughly 3 miles every day and the occasional 5K for charity. Here one minute, gone the next. Tell your loved ones how much you care for them, make time to visit with your family, make amends if that's needed. It's real, it happens, you cannot plan for it.
And, I will add this -- make sure your loved ones know your wishes re: organ and tissue donation. The hospital he was taken to was a small, but well equipped, non-university hospital, so no live donation of organs, only what could be taken after-the-fact. There's nothing worse than being asked on the phone, within hours of losing your loved one, if you want to donate corneas, tissue, bone, etc.
I was just looking through old photos and my CIJ group party photo came up. It made me really ponder the important people in my life. No matter how hard that year was, I was determined to make that day work. However different it looked, I needed it and they needed it. We moved our festivities outside, wore mask and tried to really be as safe as possible. If we've all learned one thing from this whole mess the past 2 years, it's that time with our loved ones can be precious. I really encourage you to not put off those gatherings you've been thinking about. My intent is not to debating the covid virus or the risk, I'm just thinking on a bigger scale. More like...don't let those moments pass you by until it's to late. I'm good at putting things off. Putting people off....and I'm trying not to do that. It can be a challenge sometimes, but look ahead on your calendar. When would be a good time to plan a get together with friends or family that you've been putting off? CIJ is always a good excuse to gather for some Christmas fun.
