Celebrate the People You Love While They're Around

I'm going to a memorial service for a relative this week. I'm sure that people will tell many stories about all of the things they loved about him. Unfortunately, he won't get to hear them.

This spring, I received the most amazing gift. My friends Julie, Rachel and Tara threw a party for me.  Just because.

It wasn't a birthday party, or an anniversary party, or a congratulations party.  It was a celebrate me party. How amazing is that?

It was wonderful. Not everyone I would have hoped could have been there could come, but many did. People who warm my heart. People who I hadn't seen in years. 

We laughed a lot.  There was a bowl on the dining table with prompts on strips of paper like:

• Happiest memory with Britt . . .
• Funniest memory with Britt . . .
• What I know for sure about Britt is . . . (You can see the full list of questions on Rachel's blog).

People told hilarious stories, and I'm so glad that I got to hear them, and laugh with them about my, uh, uniqueness.

Sadly, parties like these don't happen often enough, at least when we're alive. In fact, when the invite was sent out, some people emailed back asking, "Is Britt sick?" "Is something wrong?"

Think of someone you love, love, love today whose life needs to be celebrated. Just because. Throw them a party. It will one of the most life-changing gifts you can give.

Original photo is Firework  from Wikimedia.

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