NOTHING IS AS FAR AS ONE MINUTE AGO

"Tomorrow's gone and come too soon..." -Jon Siebels


The quote at the top of my blog which reads, "Nothing is as far as one minute ago" by an individual I don't even know but it has always stuck in my mind.

There’s a certain lump that swells in the throat when you stare at a casket you should not be seeing.

I don't think a lot about death. I know that it awaits me, and I know it can come at any time, but that's more of a concept than a day-to-day reality.


Yesterday there was a funeral of a wonderful man that touched the lives of so many, Dr Ralph Feigen, MD. He was 70 years old and left a devoted wife and proud family.


Dr Feigen was a pioneer or more levels than I could ever express. He arrived in 1977 to Texas Children's Hospital with a vision. Over 24,000 pediatricians passed through his vast vault of knowledge over the years. To some he was considered the most significant pediatrician in the world, especially on all matters of infectious disease and to others he was just "Ralph"

John and I got to know Dr Feigen in 2005. We had lunch in his office and toured Texas Children's Hospital. During that visit I mentioned I had been very sick and a patient of TCH in 1977. His face lit up and he was so excited when he spoke of my bout with Bacterial Meningitis. Ironically, he was my treating physician.  After we toured the Neo-Natal Center he had all my charts delivered that were almost three decades old. During that time I was pregnant with Sinclair and as we stepped into the NICU facility and saw the tiny babies tipping the scale at a mere two pounds the tears streamed down my face. He said "Don't cry, Kristi everyone in here will be fine" For some reason hearing these words from this man seemed comforting and 100 percent true.

Little did I know a few months later, Sinclair would come early and require various specialists from TCH's Cardio Care. I called Dr. Feigen's office from the hospital and said "Please make sure who ever comes is the very best" Once again, that reassuring voice told me "If they are on staff here, they are the best" Once again, this man's wisdom came through in his words to me and I knew everything would be alright.


Towards the end of last year we were struck with the news of Dr Feigen's bout with lung cancer. I just did not understand why this had to happen. He never smoked and exercised daily. I just asked God over and over "Why take someone who makes such a difference?"

Yesterday was profound in many ways. It was astounding the number of people that showed up to pay tribute to this man that touched so many. Thousands lined the medical centers main drive. If you knew him, it was not surprising.


On Friday, there will be another funeral of a family of four cut way too short. Tommy Jacomini and his gorgeous wife, Susie along with their two children, Tommy and ViVi lost their lives last week in a tragic plane crash leaving Colorado. Unlike the situation with Dr Feigen, we were somewhat prepared for his passing, where as with the Jacomini's it was totally unexpected. Nevertheless, the pain hurts none the less.

A family so young, beautiful and vibrant with their whole lives in front of them. One of my best friends has a voicemail from Susie left for her before she took the last vacation of the summer with the love of her life, Tommy and their little angels. Susie wanted to have lunch upon her return from Steamboat Springs. Unfortunately, all we have now are the memories.


I've come to realize over the past that we really should make the most of every moment. It's been said and heard a lot the past few days, but I need to remind myself of it over and over again. . But every moment counts. "Nothing is as far away as one minute ago." I truly sometimes wish that a minute ago isn't that far away - that I could rewind to so many good times that I had with so many people.

Every moment goes by so fast, especially when you're having fun. If I have not told you lately.... "You mean so much to me and I love you"