This blog is not about me and my multiple sclerosis, but instead, it is about a shining star and a fantastic friendship. I have been extremely fortunate to have never lost anyone close to me, making my sister Laura the first, which lays heavy on my heart. On Wednesday, September 27th, Laura Kathleen English died unexpectedly in her home in Columbus, OH. She died too young, at 39 years of age, after recently purchasing her first home in Columbus, where she lived most of her life.
Laura meant a lot to many people, but to me, she was more than just a sister; she was a great friend and a writing mentor. As an older brother, she and I would have many late-night conversations discussing life, love, and the pursuit of happiness. We were often a sounding board for each other, commiserating and celebrating whether it was life’s good, bad, or ugly. We frequently communicated on the phone and tried to get together whenever possible in person.
I shared this poem with Laura years ago when it applied to our lives, and she absolutely loved it. Laura told me she genuinely appreciated the blogs I wrote and faithfully reposted them on her Facebook page to help grow my readership. She also posted it because it is an excellent message everyone should take to heart and remember that life is short. So, in memory of Laura Kathleen English, let me again share this poem with all my readers and hope everyone takes to heart the words of wisdom.
Barely the day started… it’s already six in the evening.
Barely arrived on Monday, and it’s already Friday.
… and the month is already over.
… and the year is almost over.
… and already 40, 50, or 60 years of our lives have passed.
… and we realize that we lost our parents or friends.
And we realize it’s too late to go back…
So… Let’s try, despite everything, to enjoy the remaining time…
Let’s keep looking for activities that we like…
Let’s put some color in our grey…
Let’s smile at the little things that put balm in our hearts.
And despite everything, we must continue to enjoy with serenity this time we have left. Let’s try to eliminate the afters…
I’m doing it after…
I’ll say it after…
I’ll think about it after…
We leave everything for later, like ′′ after ′′ is ours.
Because what we don’t understand is that:
Afterwards, the coffee gets cold…
afterwards, priorities change…
Afterwards, the charm is broken…
Afterwards, health passes…
Afterwards, the kids grow up…
Afterwards parents get old…
Afterwards, promises are forgotten…
Afterwards, the day becomes the night…
Afterwords, life ends…
And then it’s often too late….
So… Let’s leave nothing for later…
Because if we are still waiting to see you later, we can lose the best moments,
the best experiences,
The best friends,
The best family…
The day is today… The moment is now…
We are no longer at a time when we can afford to postpone what needs to be done right away.
Our time on this Big Blue marble goes by in the span of a blink, so make life count while you are here. Do not continue to let time slip away like sand in an hourglass, and tell your family and friends that you love them. We do not know how much time we have, so tell everyone how important they are in your life. Although I am a writer, my words are incompetent, insufficient, and inadequate to say what I want. As I initially said, Laura was an essential and bright star in my life.
Laura, I love you very much. Our bond meant the world to me, and I will always keep you in my heart.
Scott's MS Life 
I am cutting and pasting what I just wrote to you.
Mary Maxson Thompson
That was a touching testimony to your beloved sister. I love what you wrote and how you write. I’m at the age where I expect to experience more losses, but it’s never easy losing someone who is a big chunk of your heart. Even though I don’t know you, I’m sending you a warm hug.
I wrote professionally for years myself. My friends and family are pulling out the black snack whip to get me writing again. I’ve had MS for 4,596,478 years. I’ve been involved with the MS Society since my diagnosis. I’m currently the admin on a Facebook page MS Support Group Austin, TX. It’s a closed group, but come join us and learn what you can from a bunch of us from newly diagnosed to old bats like me who try to see MS in a new light. In the meantime, I will look at your life. If you prefer, send me an email. My address is sip1beer@gmail.com…but that’s another story, too.
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