Last week can suck it, just like the Easter bunny

Wow! Can I just say that last week was a doozey! Not only was it the first week of two of the busiest weeks of the year for me at work, but last week was also a huge reminder of how precious life really is.

Tuesday was the day of all days. I was going to a meeting before work and totaled my car in an automobile accident that was 100% my fault. I was not only thankful that I was the only one of the three people involved that came out with any injuries, a broken toe and a couple of bruised ribs, but I was even more thankful that the woman I hit didn’t have any of her four children in the car. As I was resting on Tuesday afternoon all I could think about was how precious life is. But my car accident wasn’t the only thing that made me think about the value of life. I had also been thinking a lot about my friend Julie who died in a car accident one year ago to the day of my accident.

Julie was an amazing woman! She was married to Jeff, who was my ex-husbands room mate in college. Julie was one of those women who didn’t have to try very hard to make friends. She was cute, bubbly, had strong opinions and was loved by many. People always wanted to be in her presence. In fact, I remember the first time I met Julie. My ex husband and I were at a party at Jeff and Julie’s house right before they got engaged. I remember her coming over to me and immediately making me feel very welcome. She went out of her way all night long to make me feel like one of the group. I can’t tell you how much I loved her for this. I am an extrovert but some of the time I feel like people just aren’t interested in what I have to say, but I NEVER felt this way about Julie.

She was an amazing wife, mom, daughter, sister and friend. She adored her family and loved life more than anyone I had ever known. Unfortunately, when my ex and I got divorced, he got Jeff and Julie…you know how that goes. But with that said, they were the type of people that would give me the shirt off their backs all these years later.

Thinking about Julie this week has definitely made me think a little bit more about my life and the choices I have made in my past. Thinking about Julie makes me want to hug my kids one more time before I leave in the mornings. Thinking about Julie makes me appreciate the beautiful life I have. But most importantly, thinking about Julie makes me look back at the friendships and love that I have in my life. Even though Julie and I weren’t close toward the end of her life, I still think about her everyday and the influences she had on me and my life…and that, my friends, is prescious!

Julie Trusty-Nawrot 1965-2008