Celebrate in the here and now

Recently I was asked to do a video presentation, created from special family photos. It was a special birthday celebration for a woman who was a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt and best friend to so many people. Everyone in her life took time to gather their special photos and plan an event to celebrate her birthday with her.

We had about 50 photographs and set them to the Nat King Cole song "Unforgettable".  It was a beautiful video of a beautiful life and woman. The fabulous part about everything is that her family was celebrating with her, and not after she was gone. This was a birthday party and a time to rejoice. Her family found the time in their busy lives to come together and celebrate in the here and now.

That was a great reminder to me to celebrate my friendships and loved ones in the here and now. Regardless of how corny it sounds, when was the last time you told your own mother that you loved her?

With Mother's Day around the corner most people feel obligated to buy a gift, make a phone call or take Mom out to dinner. But what if you did these things and it WASN'T Mother's Day? What if you took Mom shopping and bought her a new purse, or carried her groceries to the car, or what if you took her down to the jewellery store and had her rings professionally cleaned for her? What if you did something that made her eyes sparkle? What if it wasn't Mother's Day?  Would she know for certain that you loved her? You bet she would.

In the same mindset, I remind my best friend as often as I can that she is my BFF and why. We've had some great times together and have more great times to come. It's a relationship, like any other that needs work and maintenance to stay strong.

You can apply the same effort and standards to all your important relationships - with your children, your neighbours, your employer and the people you rely on. Find a way to celebrate in the here and now. If you bake some cookies, share them with your neighbours or your kids' friends. Share a laugh. Celebrate in the here and now.