Live Like You Or Someone You Love Is Dying

 I'm baaaaaaaaaack!!!  Lucky you...I know you've just been itching for some new bathroom reading material.  Can you believe it's been nearly 5 years since I last blogged!??!  Soooo much has happened in that time and I will eventually fill you in.  Brief rundown of the last 5 years....adopted a kid, got to introduce her to my grandparents, she and I survived Hurricane Michael, I got diagnosed with a non- cancerous brain tumor, treated that, Covid, grandparents died, adopted another kiddo, and got diagnosed with endometrial cancer the day before my 46 birthday, which was a little over a month ago.  Like I said, eventually a blog will happen to address these but right now I have something else on my heart which is time sensitive, only because I feel like I need to say it NOW rather than later. And I'm having surgery tomorrow so I might not be on top of my game for a few days.

Let's dive right on in, shall we?!  This is what is on my mind-

Are you living like you're dying?  Like someone you love is dying?  

I have a friend currently on palliative care.  He has colon cancer and his time on earth is short.  Praise God he knows Jesus and will receive the ultimate healing but that doesn't mean he will be any less missed or grieved. I've been thinking about him constantly since I was updated on his condition.  I want to talk to him constantly and tell him how much I love him.  We've been friends since we were tweens and known each other longer than that.  I don't remember meeting him.  He was just always there.  I want to talk to him and tell him how much I love his smile, even in the midst of his pain, how I love his devotion to his family, his sense of humor, his wit.  As life does, distance and life came between us, different paths, different dreams, but we've managed to stay in touch via Facebook.  We don't chat all the time, hardly ever really. I'm not sure we've talked on the phone since we were 16 years old.  Why do I suddenly feel compelled to call him all the time right now???  The answer is simple....I know my time of being able to do so is limited.  I know that if I don't tell him how much I care for him now, how proud I am of him now,  I may not be able to later.  

How many times have you said I love you to someone and had the "luxury" of knowing it would be the last time?  When I last called my grandfather, I knew it would be the last time I got a chance to say I love you, I've learned so much from you, I'm grateful for you.  

What if you don't have the luxury of knowing when the last time you see someone will be? When is your last day alive going to be?  Will your kids know how proud you are?  How much you love them? Does your mom know?  Does your neighbor with the awesome smile know how much they brighten your day with their wave at the mailbox? 

The fact is....we're all dying, from the moment we're born.  The days of our life are numbered (Job 14:5). We may not have the knowledge of when that end may come, but rest assured, it's coming.  When you have cancer all of a sudden you become keenly aware of that, regardless of prognosis.  Are you saying what needs to be said to the folks you love and care about?  Are you asking forgiveness?  Granting forgiveness, even when they don't ask for it?  Telling your parents thanks for all you did?  Are you doing things that need to be done? I don't mean like dishes and laundry.  Are you loving and living to the fullest, intentionally?

Why did I not tell my friend more often over the years how much he encourages me?  Why did I wait until he's sick and on hospice care?  Would it have been that hard over the years to actually pick up the dang phone and call?  How often do I call my parents?  When was the last time I talked to my brothers?  That friend who is always there for me, have I called her to say thanks?   I love my husband with all that is in me and am so grateful for all he's done for me for these last 26 years.  Have I told him so?

Are you waiting for the perfect time to go on a family vacation?  Waiting to pursue that degree?  How many times have I said "I'll call them tomorrow".  What if tomorrow never comes??  (Yeah I know....That's a Tim McGraw AND a Garth Brooks reference in the same blog-sue me.  No, not you Tim and Garth...I do not have that kind of cash)

Truth be told, when we go to bed at night, there is no guarantee we'll wake the next morning.  What are you leaving unsaid or undone?  Has someone encouraged you?  Tell them!  Do they have a quality that radiates good to all those around them?  Tell them!  What are you waiting for? Tell them while they're alive.  Tell them while you're alive!   Don't wait until everybody gathers for a funeral to talk to others about how much you loved the person or how much you appreciated them.  Don't wait until you have regrets about not saying it to their face.  Say it today.  Call them now (well maybe be courteous of time zones...or not. Your call)

Live every day like you, or they, are dying.  Quite frankly, we all are.  LIVE and LOVE to the fullest!!