12 DAYS

This time of year has got me thinking about my Dad a ton, especially today! Last year on March 16th the doctors told my Dad he had about 12 days left to live. I remember sitting in an empty hospital room all by myself after hearing that news and sobbing uncontrollably. I remember looking down and seeing a puddle of my own tears on the tiled floor and thinking to myself, "Life can be so unfair!". I watched my Dad fight for his life for six months, like really really fight and I was so sad that the outcome wasn't gonna be the one that we wanted.

I remember dreading going into his hospital room after hearing that news. My Dad had always been a very happy and positive person so I didn't think I would be able to emotionally handle seeing him under those circumstances. I figured he would be angry and bitter and curled up in a ball. When I walked into the room, I looked up at him and he had the biggest smile on his face. My Dad had a huge tumor in his mouth and wasn't able to speak at that point but I remember him giving me a thumbs up!

Im sure my Dad felt scared, sad, angry, and maybe even a little bitter but he chose to be positive! My Dad always taught me and my sisters to be positive people but I grew so much more respect for that man when he was able to live up to what he taught us during the hardest time of his life. The last twelve days with my Dad were some of the best days of my life, and his. The last thing I ever saw him write down was, "Life is beautiful". I love that my Dad took something that was really horrible and made it into something beautiful.

I am a better person because of Jim Maschue. He taught me so much AND continues to teach me so much even though he isn't here anymore. I haven't had the easiest year since losing my Dad. A lot of things have not gone my way but when I start to get down, I think of the day I walked into that hospital room and saw my Dad with a smile on his face and his thumbs held up high! When that image comes into my head I instantly change my attitude and my perspective. I think to myself, "How would I be living my life if I only had 12 days left to live?". Would I be complaining about dating, school, friends, money, my future, how things aren't going my way.. etc? H*LL NO!

Oh my gosh, I totally get it guys, life can be so hard and things don't always go our way! You cant always control where you will be in 12 days, but you can control how you respond to it. Life is too short to focus on things that are out of our control. Have faith in God and his plan for you. Go out and do what makes you happy. Spend time with the people you love, eat carbs and go on lots of roller coasters rides.. Whatever it is that you are into, just live everyday like you only have 12 days left to live. Life really is beautiful so go freaking live it to the fullest RIGHT NOW!

- Have a great week and remember you are so loved.

Ps. I really really love this man.