The lose of a childhood friend

Tuesday Treadmill Treats
The loss of a childhood friend

Today I write this blog with a heavy heart as we just found out that we have lost a childhood friend, Joey Rault.
He was young, just 50, full of life, had a great heart and a quiet spirit, he was far too young to be gone and yet he is.

We all grew up in a small town in upstate New York, most of us started pre school together and went straight through college together. We knew the same people, knew each others parents, we knew about hot bagels at 3 am, we knew which dinner had the best burgers and fries with gravy (Gagers) we knew the well, the hill (Dillon) the launch (Mongup) We knew the cops, the bars, the back woods and let's not forget WBT versus MBT.

We skated with him at Dehoyes, swim in the lakes together, we hung out at the Down Under watching his brother spin the records all night.

These and so many memories that bonded us for life and even though we may have lost touch over the years there was still that bond, we were all blessed enough to reconnect these last few years, we had all moved down to Florida about 30 of us and we get together once a month to catch up and enjoy each others company.

Unless you grew up in this small vacation town, you can't imagine all the wonderful memories and fun we had, it was a magical childhood and I was so grateful to be able to grow up with these incredible people.

I write all the time about living your life to the fullest as you never know what will happen and this is yet another confirmation if you didn't get the message before.
Each and every day is a gift from God, use it wisely as it can be gone in an instant.

Be happy, be grateful, smile at people, find the joy in everything, never complain, never! You are here, you have another day to tell someone you love them, to right a wrong, to make a mends, today you have that chance, this minute, you have that chance, you might not get a second time to do so.

Make a bucket list, do the things you've been putting off, do it today! Spend more time with your kids, they want you not another fancy toy.
Work less, play more!
Don't waste time worrying about things you can't change, be present in each and every moment.

Don't have regrets, no one ever said on their last breath I wished I worked more, no they say I wished I spent more time with the people I love, doing the things I wanted to do.
Being rich has nothing to do with money, my friend Joey was rich, he had a family that loved him, he had great friends, he had a smile that lit up the room.... and he was taken way too soon.

So today my friends, stop, breathe, look around, give thanks that God gave you another day here and make the most of it, you never know if it will be your last...

We will miss you Joey Rault....

Www.treadmilltreats.wordpress.com