Every day we get up, get dressed, and go about our day, enjoying our lives and never knowing that everything can change in an instant and the world as we know it no longer exists.
I was reminded of this in a heartbreaking way this week. I have mentioned Scarlett Braden Moss, the woman who formats my paperback books, before. Scarlett, an amazing author in her own right, is not only a business acquaintance but also a dear friend. Here is a picture taken a few years ago of me with Scarlett and her husband, Ron.
On Labor Day weekend, Scarlett took Ron to the ER for shortness of breath, swollen ankles, and a distended belly. They were given the terrible diagnosis of aggressive metastatic cancer, and he declined rapidly. He passed away Friday afternoon, leaving so many of us who knew and loved him heartbroken.
What can you say to comfort someone at a time like that? I’m sorry for your loss and may he rest in peace seem to be so little. When I was giving a friend’s eulogy a few years back, something came to me. I don’t know if I had heard it somewhere else, but I said that we can all look at the casket and ask why did we lose this wonderful person, why they were taken from us, and be sad. Or instead, we can think that out of all of the millions of people in the world, I was fortunate enough to be chosen to have this person become a part of my life, and be grateful for that blessing.
A mutual friend set up a Go Fund Me page to help Scarlett with hospital expenses and to cover funeral and living expenses. If you can contribute anything, even $5, to this worthy cause, I will be forever grateful, and I know Scarlett will be, too.
Rest in peace, Ron. You left an empty hole in our hearts, and we love you.
Today is your last chance to enter our Free Drawing. This week’s prize is a printed copy of Skin of the Night, the first book in C.K. Bennett’s Night series. A top law student’s main priority is her career and she avoids anything that can get in the way of that, especially romance. She is a woman who doesn’t need a man to feel complete. Then a dashing lawyer with a clever but merciless tongue puts her convictions on trial, and she finds it hard to resist him. But being together could have disastrous consequences. Packed with complex characters, steamy scenes and cheeky dialogue, The Night series is sure to take you on a journey of laughter, frustration, tears, and deep reflections you won’t forget anytime soon.
To enter, click on this Free Drawing link or the tab at the top of this page and enter your name (first and last) in the comments section at the bottom of that page (not this one). Only one entry per person per drawing please, and you must enter with your real name. To prevent spam or multiple entries, the names of cartoon or movie characters are not allowed. The winner will be drawn this evening. Note: Due to the high shipping cost of printed books and Amazon restrictions on e-books and audiobooks to foreign countries, only entries with US addresses and e-mail addresses are allowed.
Thought For The Day – Death leaves a heartache no one can heal. Love leaves a memory no one can steal.
Nick Russell
World-Famous, New York Times Best Selling Author, and All-Around Nice Guy!