They say time flies as you get older? When I stop and think about that old adage, I wonder how time can possibly go faster that it is already passing. Sometimes I feel like I’m still stuck in July and then someone fills me in that we are now in September.

But then someone close to us dies and life slows down for a second. Just in this past month, it seems like I have known a dozen people that have passed away. While they are all in a better places now, their families, loved ones, and friends remain and feel that loss.

So rather than continue on being busy and wondering where time has flown, I thought it would be appropriate to take a moment and pay tribute to some of the families and friends that are now grieving.

One wife would bring her delicious southern cooking to her now deceased husband in the nursing home each day. Due to his dementia, he may not have always known what he was always eating. However, his taste buds were relishing that daily offering.

One daughter would visit her mom religiously in the nursing home and make sure that all of her needs were met. She truly honored her mom by being so compassionate and devoted to her mother’s care.

Another wife stopped what she was doing upon learning that her husband did not have much longer to live. From that point, and until his last breath, she gave all of herself to make him comfortable and to cherish every last second the couple had together.

A husband and wife accepted the challenge to take care of their elderly neighbors. Without this couple stepping up to be caregivers, their neighbors would have been without anyone to advocate for them.

While we can’t take away the pain that accompanies grieving, we can appreciate you and how you shared your hearts with the ones you have lost. They say there are heroes and angels all around us…thanks for helping us to believe that once more.

P.S. May God be with all of those that have lost people recently. For Audrey, Sue, Suzanne, and Earl & Beverly, thanks for being such amazing examples to us all.