Why is it that we tend to always realize how much someone means to us once they are gone? 

Take it from me, I have made this realization in my life and it is a wonderful feeling.  As some of you already know, my mother is terminally ill and the only hope for her is a lung transplant.  She is a candidate, but realistically will not make it through the process because of her age and current condition.  For years I never respected her and took her for granted.  Everything that she did or said was never good enough.  Now, I look back at all of the wonderful things she did and I realize what she means to me.  When I wanted something that cost a few bucks she would lie to my father so that I can have it.  When I got hurt she was the first one that was there for me.  But most of all when I did something wrong she was the first one to let me know!  I always took her hitting me as an insult and never realized what she was doing.  But, in retrospect I can see her motive.  I am 25 years old and have never tried a drug.  I am 25 years old and have never gotten into a serious fight.  I open doors for elderly and women and I say please and thank you.  I pray to God each and every day and I realize that life is much more than the materialism of this earth.  I am a good person and I owe it all to my mom.  When my dad was working nights, she was there to make us feel protected and when my schoolmates called me fat, she was there to hold me.  But most of all when I wanted to go anywhere she was there at the door, keys in hand, ready to go.  So, now that she is ready to go to a bigger better place, I make sure that each and every day she knows how much I love her.  She is not only a woman of virtue, she is a woman to admire.  Her battles with mental illness have lead her to become one of the best writers I have ever read.  So, I ask all of you to realize how important the people in your life are, because you never know when their journey will end.  So, make it a good one! 

" Life is not only a journey of the body, it is a maturation of the soul and a molding of the mind."