Gone Too Soon 💔

I have said it so many times. Life is precious. Don’t ever take it for granted. Tell the people you care about how much they mean to you. Often. And if you’re thinking about reaching out to someone, do it!

My current class is Human Growth & Development. During the second week we were studying attachment theory and the importance of infants bonding with their primary caregiver(s). One of our discussion questions talked about children being in daycare and we had to research whether or not it was detrimental for infants to be in daycare.

Every parent struggles with this. As new parents you worry about every little sound your child makes and you want to protect them from the world. The research shows that children can do well in daycare as long as they develop a relationship of love and trust with the caregiver.

Patrick and I were so fortunate to find someone like this. My mother met Jan at church. She and her daughter Kim ran a daycare out of their home. We met with them while I was pregnant and we knew Sierra would be in good hands. At eight weeks old I dropped her off with Nanny and Kimmie and they watched her until she turned four. Camille joined her when she was born and stayed there for 18 months or so.

I spent very little time worrying about the girls being in daycare. I knew that they were not just taken care of, they were loved. Sierra stayed with Nanny and Kimmie the night before Camille was born and they may have even brought her to the hospital to meet her sister.

When we moved Camille to preschool, Dawan offered Kimmie a position as her in home nanny. We were sad to leave but very excited that we would still see Kim. She has been a part of our family since then, over 21 years total!

I remembered all of this as I wrote my discussion post on February 26th. I was so happy getting affirmation that I had been ok to leave them there. I thought to myself that I really should tell them how grateful I was. I definitely planned to do that!

The very next night Dawan texted us to say that Kimmie had a medical emergency and was unable to be revived. She died suddenly at the age of 43. I was in shock that yet another person I know is gone before their time.

Today we went to her Celebration of Life and it was amazing how many people she had touched! She was just one of those happy people that everyone loved. And I know she knew she was appreciated by Dawan and our entire family. My heart is broken for her mom, her sister Suzanne, her dad and her 4-yr-old daughter, Bella, whom she adopted. I know she is in a better place but everyone wishes it didn’t have to be so soon!

So, hug the people you love, do a kind deed, let people know you appreciate them. Life is short.