Yesterday was one of the best days I have had since I came to college. I spent the whole day with the love of my life and having a lot of fun. It was just a nice relaxing day at home with almost no worries. Then when I came back to my room at about midnight I went to check on my other girl; my pet rat Ilene. Ilene is a rat that I adopted before college started. I gave her a home and a family. When I went to check on her and feed her for the evening I picked her up and noticed that she had what looked like blood caked onto her whiskers, paws and around her eyes. I took her to the sink and washed it off. She was being very frail and felt very weak. She didn't seem to be able to stand on her own and has not stood since I found her like that. Courtney did some research and found that it was not blood but just tears that are produced when a rat is under stress or is ill. I put Ilene to bed in a shoe box with a towel and some food. I woke up this morning and checked on her. Some of her tears were back but she seemed to be doing a little bit better. I even got her to eat a little and she peed on me. Bodily functions are good and the lack of them is what should be worrying. I washed her up and kept her in her shoe box with me allmost all day. When I left to go to work she seemed to be sleeping and so I didn't disturb her. I came home and the tears were back. I washed them off but now she is unable to walk or even stop herself from falling over. She wont eat and I had to force some water down her throat which got me nibbled a bit. I held her and her heart rate is so rapid its almost not stopping. I cannot go to a veterinarion for help because I cannot afford the visit. I can't put her out of her misery either because I couldn't bring myself to do it with a knife or other means and do not have access to a gun or seringe. I feel so sorry for this poor creature. She is very ill and I doubt she will make it through the night. This is where I stand right now and this is the context for my following remarks.
Life is fragile. As I illustrated with the story of my family member, you never know when something can suddenly show up and you are potentially spending your final minutes with the person or creature that you love. In every day that you live always live it as though it was your last. Never have regrets because regrets are what make you weep when the loved one passes on. If you always spend the time that you feel is necessary with those that you love then you will not have regrets. Nothing is more important than family is. Not school, not video games, not work, nor a social gathering. If something is happening with your family then be there. I also made this mistake for my grandparents' 50th wedding anniversary. I was trapped at work and unable to make it home to be with them during that important time. Live life to its fullest and without regret. Charish every moment you have with those around you. Life comes at you fast and you never know what curve ball will be thrown at you next.
As I say goodbye to the first member of my family with my fiance, I greet with a bittersweet taste this knowledge and share it with you.
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