Death
We can't escape it. It's inevitable. But most of us live as if it will come later rather than sooner. Live as if death will never happen to them. Holding onto grudges. Ending a phone call without an I love you. Ugly words never forgotten or forgiven. Walking out the door angry. Going to bed mad because of something petty. Living day to day thinking that death will never sting. I hear it often. The I love you's spoken but actions never seem to back the words that so easily roll off one's tongue. But then...
Reality hits them smack in the face. Not directly affecting them but the life of someone they know. Death knocks. A terminal diagnosis is given. A freak accident occurs and someone is no longer here. Our hearts ache for the loved ones left behind. We may question why. We may actually stop for a brief moment and let our loved ones know we love them. We may even look at our own lives for a moment to evaluate how we are living. Do our lives have meaning? Would peoples' lives be affected if ours abruptly ended? Without warning or any notice given, would others mourn?
One evening earlier this week, as I was scrolling through Facebook, I caught a glimpse of a status update that gave honor to a young man who fought a courageous battle against the dreaded C word. Matt Lord. My heart sank. My heart grieved. BUT my spirit was lifted as I read about his life and how the lives around him were impacted because of the life he lived. His last status update wasn't poor pitiful Matt. How can a rainy day bring gloom and doom to our life when those fighting for theirs see LIFE each and every day? Life is brief. Life is fragile. But I believe we treat it as if it's like the black box on an airplane. Indestructible. Death is in the far future. It's not tomorrow. It's not spoken of because no one wants to accept that it is going to happen whether we want it to or not.
When it hits close to home, it is a wake up call. When my dad passed away, it certainly opened my eyes. How would my life impact others? Would anyone have anything to say about me that would stick with them for the rest of their days here on this earth? What can I do to change the way I view life? To treat life as if it's fragile and to handle with care. What about you? Do you ever think about life after you are gone? Would your Facebook page be filled with stories that actually matter? Not just ️memories but moments that changed others lives for the good. Would your laughter be missed or do others seldom hear you laugh? What about your smile? Would your smile be missed or do you rarely smile? Would your voice be missed or would it be a relief that your voice would no longer be heard because your words just didn't matter? Would a void be felt?
Stop for a moment. Think about your day to day activities. Think about your family. Your friends. Your co-workers. Strangers. What are you doing to impact their lives? When you walk by someone do they even notice? We can all make a difference. We may not can change the world but we can change our world. We can change the way we live and truly live as if we were dying... because we all are. It's not a topic most like to talk about but it's not something to brush aside and pretend it never happens. Because it does.
Live life today with all that is within you! Live to make others lives better. Live to leave behind the best legacy possible. Today is your present... It's a gift. What will you do with it?
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