You Don’t Know What You Have Until It’s Gone
By Kateb Nuri-Alim Shunnar
You ever notice how we don’t truly appreciate something until it’s gone? It’s like eating the last slice of pizza and realizing too late you wanted one more bite. Joni Mitchell said it best: “They paved paradise and put up a parking lot.” And isn’t that just how life works? We sleep on the good stuff until it’s no longer around, and then suddenly, we’re wide awake and full of regrets.
Look, I’m not pointing fingers because I’ve been that person distracted, overbooked, and blind to what’s right in front of me. Life moves fast, and most of us are out here juggling 20 things at once, thinking we’re superheroes. Meanwhile, the real treasures the ones that keep us sane and grounded are quietly waiting for us to notice. Spoiler alert: they won’t wait forever.
Take people, for example. You know that friend who always checks in, even when you’re too caught up in your drama to ask how they’re doing? Or the family member who gives you their last dollar without a second thought? They don’t do it for the clout they do it because they care. And what do we do? We take them for granted, acting like they’ll always be there. But guess what? People get tired. Tired of being a one-way street, tired of being overlooked.
And then there’s life’s opportunities. Those golden moments that show up dressed as second chances or random ideas you can’t shake. Instead of jumping on them, we hesitate, overthink, and then poof they’re gone. It’s like watching the bus drive away while you’re still digging for your fare. You can’t chase it, and you sure can’t rewind it.
Oh, and don’t even get me started on the Creator. We treat that relationship like a backup phone charger only reaching for it when our battery’s at 1%. We pray when life’s a mess, complain when we don’t get instant results, and rarely say thank you for the little things, like breathing, walking, or having coffee that didn’t spill on your shirt this morning. It’s wild how entitled we act, isn’t it?
Now, I’m not here to preach I’m just speaking from my own L’s. I’ve been there. I’ve lost people, missed chances, and let my connection with the Creator gather dust while I chased things that didn’t matter. And let me tell you, life has a way of serving humble pie when you least expect it.
I’ll never forget the day my favorite corner café shut down. No big warning, no dramatic exit just one day, it was gone. This was the spot I used to go to every Saturday morning. Mr. Reed, the owner, always had my coffee ready before I even walked in. It wasn’t fancy just a small place where everyone felt at home.
But life got busy, and I stopped going. “Next week,” I’d tell myself, then the week after that, and the week after that. When I finally made time to go back, the café was boarded up, and Mr. Reed was nowhere to be found. I stood there staring at the empty storefront like I’d lost a piece of my soul. That café wasn’t just coffee it was comfort, connection, and community. And I’d let it slip away without realizing how much it mattered.
That loss hit me harder than I expected. It was like life handed me a wake-up call with a side of, “See what happens when you stop paying attention?” Losing that café taught me a lesson: the little things the people, the places, the moments are the glue that holds it all together. Ignore them, and you’ll find yourself falling apart.
Gratitude isn’t just about saying “thanks” when life’s smooth sailing. It’s about finding the beauty in the chaos, the lessons in the setbacks, and the blessings in the boring, everyday stuff. It’s calling your parents just to say, “I appreciate you.” It’s stopping for five seconds to enjoy the sunrise before your morning commute. It’s laughing at that one coworker’s bad jokes because, honestly, they’re trying.
And let’s talk about reconnecting with the Creator. Not out of guilt or fear, but because you realize the same force that painted the sunsets and shaped the mountains also cares about your messy, complicated, beautiful life. That’s wild, isn’t it?
So here’s the thing: don’t wait for life to hit you with a “parking lot” moment. Don’t wait for people to walk away, for chances to disappear, or for your soul to feel empty before you start showing up.
Appreciate the folks who hold you down. Tell them you see them, that they matter. Say yes to the opportunities that scare you they’re probably the ones that’ll grow you the most. And above all, don’t ghost your connection with the Creator. Spend time in prayer, reflection, or just sitting in gratitude for all the little miracles we overlook.
Because once something’s gone, it’s gone. And no amount of wishing, hoping, or rewinding will bring it back.
Joni was right they do pave paradise and put up a parking lot. But let’s not wait for the pavement to show up before we start cherishing the paradise we’ve got.
Hold onto your blessings, y’all. Life’s too short to take the good stuff for granted.
You Don’t Know What You Have Until It’s Gone becareful!
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