Cherish the Ones You Love

December 1st rolls around again next week. It happens every year like clockwork. Most years I try to treat it like any other day, but the reality is that my life changed on December 1st back in 1998.

That’s the day my brother-in-law, Hal, died from a brain tumor at age 36. That’s the day my sister became a widow at age 27. My niece lost her father that day, even though she was only six months old at the time.

I was in the hospital with my sister that day. We each held his hand as he took his last breaths.

I will never forget it …

Let’s just say these kinds of experiences in life make Thanksgiving truly meaningful.  My niece is 14 now, and my own children adore her. We are all spending the holiday together this year.

Cherish the ones you love EVERY DAY you can!

Betsy Winkler is a Partner at People Results and can be reached on Twitter @BetsyWinkler1