Would you change?
That is the opening line of one of my favorite songs by artist Tracy Chapman. It is also a very personal question in my heart right now. As I sit here writing, my heart is heavy with the pain of loss. I lost a friend today. A friend I looked up to, loved and respected for much of my life.
It’s too soon. He was too young, had a family who loves him, and I know without asking that they wanted more time. But time is up.
So I sit here in this moment of reflection, mourning this loss and thinking about my own life as well.
If you saw the face of God and Love, would you change?
I want to think I would.
If I thought this was my last day, how would I spend it? Would I yell at the kids for making a mess? Would I worry? Would I focus on that never-ending To Do list?
Or would I spend my last hours telling everyone how much I love them, how important they have been in my life and how much I have enjoyed having them in my life?
I can’t remember the last time I told my friend how special he was to me. I can only hope he knew.
I’m writing this on Valentines Day. Not a day I have ever associated with death, but I will now. Perhaps not in the way you think. Not in a sad way, my friend wouldn’t wouldn’t have wanted that. I know he would want us to focus on love. On appreciating each other, taking the time to enjoy each other’s company and lives. Enjoying life to the fullest.
I’ll try to do a better job of honoring those qualities.
He was an inspiration.
What I will remember most about him is his huge heart and his gracious nature. His sense of humor and his love for family and friends.
His smile.
And the way he reached out to lend a helping hand whenever he could.
Isn’t that the way we would all like to be remembered?
If you knew that this was your last day, would it change how you spent it?
