In An Instant

So...Brian Griffin has returned to Family Guy as many of his fans hoped that he would. He was raised from the dead by Stewie, who loved him dearly, in a strange twist brought about because of the time machine that Stewie built.

The Twitter world was abuzz with the revival as fans of the show were thankful. The show creator, Seth McFarland sent out two twits (I'm paraphrasing):

1). Of course we weren't going to kill off Brian. Do you think we're high!

and

2). Just a warm and fuzzy lesson for you for the holidays. Don't take the people you love for granted because they can be gone in an instant.

That one hit hard.

And not because I ever took the people I love for granted, but because of the 'in an instant' part.

That's the tough part of the statement to handle.

In an instant.

It don't take much.

And with that the holiday spirit, in a weird sort of way was kicked back to the forefront of my mind.

Still not getting around too well. Still not all caught up in the thought of egg nog and making spirits bright. We still haven't set up our tree, and that's because there is a tree controversy around here.

Jake thinks the fake tree we've had for years is a bit too ratty.

"It's embarrassing," he said.

So there are plans for a new fake tree.

Unfulfilled plans thus far.

"Why do we even need a tree?" Sam asked. "It's kinda' dumb if you think about it."

"I don't need a tree," I said.

"We're getting a tree!" Kathy answered. "My God, what's wrong with you?"

Yet Sam was right there with me.

"Christmas ain't about the tree or the other crap," he said. "We just gotta' all be here."

Couple that with the McFarland tweet and I think the kid got it just about right.

Having everyone together is cause for celebration, tree or not.

The Sunday showing of the Family Guy was a joyous one as they celebrated Brian just being there. Life doesn't work that way, unfortunately. There aren't any time machines to undo the bad shit.

So enjoy the good shit.

After all, it can all go up in an instant.