Small Business Knowledge Network w/ Jim Vogel – From Horse and Buggy to AI: The Next Great Business Revolution
- Small Business Knowledge Network
The moment we lose someone we love; time seems to stop. For a while, we wander through the world in a daze, as if nothing holds meaning anymore. We’re left with nothing but memories—fragments of moments that can never be recreated. It is often in these moments of sorrow that the significance of life becomes clear, and the value of each breath is realized in a way it never was before.
Sarah and her Mother
Take Sarah, for example. She was a woman who lived her life in the fast lane. Busy with work, constantly chasing after the next goal, promotion, and deadline, Sarah rarely stopped to appreciate what she had. She took her relationships for granted, assuming they would always be there. Her mother, Clara, was one of the constants in her life—a steady presence, always there with open arms, gentle words, and unconditional love. They had laughed, cried, and shared a bond that Sarah never questioned.
For years, Sarah’s life was a whirlwind of ambition. She was often too busy to pick up the phone for a quick chat, too tired to visit her mother regularly, or too consumed with her own struggles to notice the little things. Clara never complained. She would simply smile and say, “I understand, darling. I’m always here when you need me.”
One day, Clara fell ill unexpectedly. It wasn’t something Sarah could have prepared for. The illness came quickly, sharp, sudden, and relentless. Within weeks, her mother’s condition worsened. The woman who had once been full of life and energy now lay fragile and pale in a hospital bed. Sarah, caught in a whirlwind of work and emotional turmoil, still struggled to find time to be there as much as she should have.
Then, one morning, her mother was gone. It happened so quickly—too quickly for Sarah to say the things she needed to say, to ask for forgiveness for the years she had spent neglecting the most important person in her life. The funeral was quiet and somber, a blur of people offering their condolences, but none of them could fill the aching void in Sarah’s heart. The woman who had been there through every joy and hardship was no longer there to offer a warm hug or a comforting word.
In the days that followed, Sarah found herself overwhelmed by grief. She couldn’t escape the thought of all the moments she hadn’t shared, all the things she had left unsaid. She regretted her frantic, work-centered life and wished she had spent more time listening to her mother’s stories, or just sitting in silence with her, appreciating her presence. The regret was suffocating, and in those dark moments, Sarah felt the loss more intensely than she ever imagined possible.
Sarah loving the little things in life.
When Life Shifts
But as time passed, something within her began to shift. The pain of loss had created a space for reflection. Amid the sadness, Sarah began to understand. The absence of her mother highlighted the depth of love and the importance of the little things. She realized that life had always been about the simple moments—the laughter shared over dinner, the quiet walks in the park, the comfort of holding hands. Those moments had always been there, but she had been too distracted to see them.
Clara’s death forced Sarah to stop and reflect on what truly mattered. She began to appreciate the beauty of each day, not as a to-do list of tasks, but as an opportunity to connect with the world around her and the people she loved. She reached out to friends and family, letting them know how much they meant to her. She spent more time with the people she cared about, not just checking in but truly being present. She learned to listen more intently, be kinder, and value still moments.
The pain of loss never entirely fades, but it teaches us a profound lesson: life is fleeting, and we must cherish our precious moments. Sarah’s appreciation for life didn’t come from a place of joy, but from the depth of her grief. In losing her mother, she had gained a newfound understanding of what it means to live fully. The regret she felt became a catalyst for changing her life in a way that no amount of success or accomplishment ever could.
And though she would never stop missing Clara, Sarah now knew that life was beautiful in all its imperfections. She had learned to appreciate every day, every conversation, every moment, knowing that one day, she would cherish the memories they had shared even more.
Monica Lucia is the Author of The Final Chapter and a passionate advocate for those navigating grief and loss. She is the Founder of Widow’s Den and Sisterhood of LKN, dedicated to supporting families In addition to her writing and community-building work, Monica is the Grief and Bereavement Counselor at Raymer-Kepner Funeral Home, Huntersville and Denver.
