when i miss home...

Two posts in one day, this is the first....

i have been in Vegas for more than two years now...and i love it. I truly do. There is rarely a time i miss home - but when that time comes, it is intense. really, it isn't that i am homesick, but rather, i am missing things in my friends' and family's life due to geography...well, that and money. For example, i missed a wedding this summer because i couldn't buy the plane ticket. My step-sister is pregnant with her third blessing, but i won't be able to be there for that either. My dad and Helen get to go to fun Arkansas football games to watch ben play - nope, don't get to go there either. Little things here and there add up.

But probably the worst feeling there is - not being home for your friend's dad's funeral. Tuesday night, one of my high school friend's dad passed away due to lung cancer. I shamefully admit that i didn't even know he was diagnosed...however, i found out that he had just been diagnosed two months ago. This was totally unexpected...and the funeral was this morning. I know that there isn't much that i could do to ease the pain, but i would have still loved to be able to physically be there for her - and for the rest of my friends.

But i guess that isn't in the plans right now - for whatever reason, i am missing out on these things...and i think i should be learning something from it. I am getting worse and worse with keeping in touch. i have no (good) excuses. I have so many people that are really important to me, but for some reason picking up the phone to call and check in, writing a quick email, or heck - even using snail mail is just too much for me to do....really? no, it isn't too much to do - i am just being lazy.

My high school friends have been through a lot - a LOT. I lost one of my best friends on Christmas Day, freshman year...and i can't even explain what kind of bond that created with my girls. They are my rocks, they will always be there for me - and it makes me feel so guilty when i can't always be there for them when something like this happens, but also that i don't always make the effort to call, write, etc.

So - to wrap up this downer of a post - life is short. I know that is totally cliche, but it is true...really really true. Don't let one moment pass where you only *think* about catching up with a friend, dropping an email, praying for them, telling them you miss them, etc....because really - you just never know when you won't have that opportunity. I promise, i am going to start taking my own advice :)

"Happiness lies for those who cry, those who hurt, those who have searched and those who have tried. For only they can appreciate the importance of people who have touched their lives."