How life can change in the blink of an eye

I received a call tonight, the kind that you never want to receive. No, it wasn't a telemarketer, or a bill collector... but rather, my Dad on the other end of the line choking back tears.
When he gathered himself, I heard the words "she died". He was referring to my beautiful cousin, Julie, 43, a single mom of 2, who passed unexpectedly from a heart attack today. As I heard the broken details through his emotions, I sat stunned. He passed the phone to my mom, (whom, just one year ago, we were concerned about losing her to breast cancer) who was devastated over the loss of her youngest niece.

After many phone calls and hours of shock, I jumped on Facebook for some mindless surfing. I found myself on Julie's page looking at her pictures and the many messages left by those who had heard the tragic news.

As I scrolled down, I saw two things that brought both a tear to my eye and a smile to my heart:


Carlee (19 year old Daughter away at college) to Julie (aka "Mom"): hey mom. :) just wanted to say hi.. ! hope you have an amazing week!! see you wednesday night!!!!!! LOVE and MISS you.
Yesterday, 6:24 pm.

Carlee had no idea, when she posted that message to her Mom that less than 24 hours later, her mother would be getting her "wings".

I also noticed, that Julie's last post read: What a beautiful day !!! (last Wednesday)

I am so glad that I have that to look back to and know, that while life wasn't always easy for this hard working, single mom, she could still find beautiful things to post on Facebook.

I think it's an honor to be able to have such a "record" of sorts of the final hours of someone's life. While her death was unexpected, (and definitely stings) I can look back and "hear" her voice through her status updates.

Thanks, Facebook.

Rest in Peace "Julie Bub"