SHUT UP AND LOVE!

~ Kimila Kay

The title, Shut Up and Love! is a quote that belongs to my beloved Aunt Cindy, who died unexpectedly in her sleep three weeks ago. And though I’m writing a blog about this unimaginable loss, there truly are no words.

Cindy was only two years older then me, so not only did I lose one of my favorite aunts, but I’m also now looking over my sixty-six year old shoulder for the grim reaper.

Like me, my aunt had a strong faith, so it comforts me to know she’s traveled over the rainbow and beyond to be with family and friends who have gone before her. And though I believe what awaits me is better than my life here, I’m having a hard time accepting that the end draws near.

Do I only have two more years? I seriously hope not, because I’m not going to be ready. It’s taken me a year to write my next two books, and while I’ve loved every minute, I find myself worried about what I should write next. Do I only focus on one book, or should I try to write four?

My faith tells me it’s not my place to worry about my time on earth, nor plan for when I’m no longer here, but as a consummate planner, this logic goes against my nature. Hence, why my planning gene is on full throttle, making lists and checking them twice.

Am I in good health? Should I lose weight? Is it possible to live forever?

I know the last question might seem ridiculous, but even as a little girl, I wanted to live forever. I remember telling my mom I planned to live until my 100th birthday, complete with an elaborate description of my party. Yes, I know living forever is a lofty goal, but I know I’m not going to be ready to leave planet earth. Leave my kids, grandkids, friends, and family.

One of my favorite quotes is:

Life is not a journey to the grave with intentions of arriving safely in a pretty, well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out and loudly proclaiming … WOW! What a ride! 

And I would add: Fifteen minutes late, with a margarita in hand, still asking for more time!

Since I don’t have a crystal ball, the answer is simple. Live for today. Write my books, short stories, blogs, birthday cards. Spend as much time with my kids, grandkids, friends, and family.

Take the love my Aunt Cindy and I shared and find a way to weave the beauty of our feelings into the characters that spring from my imagination. Maybe there’s a favorite aunt in my

Stoneybrook heroine, Harley Harper’s future. Or does the hero, Wyatt Stone, have a meddlesome aunt who needles him about his relationship with Harley.

And if you’ve been kind enough to read my previous blogs, then you know I love Mexico. What if my Aunt Cindy appears as a character in Chaos in Cabo. Or maybe she must save her nephew in Lost in Loreto from a shotgun wedding.

I know I haven’t met most of you in person, but you’re fellow writers, so I wish you good health. Long lives. And a river of words to fill the pages.

And please, Just Shut Up and Love!

Unknown's avatar

Published by Kimila Kay

Kimila Kay lives in Donald, Oregon along with her husband, Randy, her adorable Boston Terrier Maggie, and a feisty black cat named Halle. Her professional accomplishments include three anthologized essays in the CUP OF COMFORT series. In three separate contests, PERIL IN PARADISE, has won two first place awards and a third-place award in the romantic suspense category. Kimila is currently a member of a writing critique group, Northwest Independent Writers Association (NIWA), Willamette Writers, and Windtree Press. PERIL IN PARADISE is the first novel in a planned cross-cultural series, which will include Malice in Mazatlán, Vanished in Vallarta, Chaos in Cabo, and Lost in Loreto.

One thought on “SHUT UP AND LOVE!”

  1. I’m sorry for your loss. I can definitely envision you doing exactly what the quote says! If we worry about when we’ll leave this earth, we waste precious time we could have been living. Good post!

    Like

Comments are closed.