Last week was a difficult one.  My friend Diane lost her husband in a car accident.  He was only 45.  In addition to his wife, he also left behind 4 beautiful daughters.  It should never have happened.  Life isn’t supposed to be like this.  This family doesn’t deserve this terrible pain.  But, as we all know, life isn’t fair.  Our biggest disappointments often come from thinking it should be.  Sometimes we choose change and sometimes change chooses us.  In this case, the lives of so many were changed in an instant.  And, it isn’t fair!

Diane is not only my friend, she is also a phenomenal professional photographer, an amazingly creative thinker, and an awesome cheerleader.  She has done some of the photography for this site.  As we worked together, she has given me great ideas and inspiration about applications for my products.  In fact, it was Diane’s idea to create what I’ve come to call the ‘Soul Connection’ bracelet (coming to the site soon).  These bracelets are designed to be sold in pairs so that 2 people can be close even if they are physically far apart.  For example, if your best friend lives far away, when you each wear  identical bracelets, you can feel each other’s presence, even across the miles.    So, when I went to visit Diane and the girls after Don died, I gave each of them matching bracelets.  Diane explained to the girls that if they each wore the bracelets, they would be reminded of their father’s love, their love for each other and their strength as a family.  I was touched to see that they were each wearing their bracelet through the wake and funeral service. 

Diane’s strength, her love for her family, her commitment to help them through their grief is profound.  I don’t know how she does it!  But I know that I will be there for her, they will be there for each other and, although it isn’t clear right now, I believe everything happens for a reason.  There is much to learn and much to appreciate in everything that happens in our lives, even if it isn’t immediately obvious.    So, be present, be grateful, be your best, true self.  Life is precious even though it isn’t fair!