Life Goes On
It's been a Happy-Sad week for me.
We celebrated our son's 4th Birthday on Tuesday with an amazing drumming party. 12 young children playing the djembe drums and doing the "Lion Guard" call... what a blast.
On Tuesday night we heard from my Dad's Doctor (Geriatric Psychiatrist) that he is now in the terminal stages of Lewy Body disease. Though this news did not come as surprise, it was still a shock to hear it from her.
Wednesday was a particularly sad day as I attended the Memorial service of my best friend's Father and then went with my Mom and eldest brother to meet with my Dad's Doctor.
One thing that the Priest said in the Memorial service though has stayed with me, he said,
"Breathe... it's important, we forget to do it, we sometimes forget in these circumstances that life goes on".
Death is all around us but Life goes on.
Hurricane Irma took the lives of 125 people in the Carribbean and 72 people in Florida.
59 people were shot down and killed in Las Vegas and so many wounded...
Through natural disasters and unnatural disasters...
Life goes on.
In our meeting with the Doctor yesterday, she also said something poignant, "Your Dad is now in the end stages of illness and it's very painful for the family to see him this way, but we will also face the end of our lives and it will look something like this for all of us. This is how it looks to die."
And my best friend, who's Father died suddenly, without the chance to say goodbye, said something so beautiful in her Father's memorial that will remain with me forever,
"If your loved one's are still with you, don't miss the moment to tell them how much you love them and how much they mean to you. Tell them now."
Death Life Meaning - Live Breathe Love Now
If you knew you had only 6 months to live... what would you do differently today?
If you knew you only had 1 day to live.. what would you do differently today?
- How does knowing death is close change your focus?
- Would you treat your loved one's differently?
- Would you structure your day differently?
- Would you hold your nearest and dearest closer?
- Would you hug a little longer, look into their eyes a little deeper?
- Would you be more in the moment?
- Less distracted?
- More present?
One of Og Mandino's scrolls in the Greatest Salesman in the World taught us to
"Live each day as if it is your last".
“I will live this day as if it is my last...
Why have I been allowed to live this extra day when others, far better than I, have departed?
Is it that they have accomplished their purpose while mine is yet to be achieved?
Is this another opportunity for me to become the man I know I can be?”
If you knew today was your last day... who would you be?
Recent Comments
31
Hello Lauren, yes life does go on and it is rough to see a loved one prepare to depart life. I saw both my mother and younger brother leave and it made me realize my own mortality. I truly do believe in living each day as my last and try to get as much out of it as I can. I would not want to be anyone else than who I am now and would probably continue to do what I am doing now,except somewhere warmer.
Sorry to hear about the loss of your mother and younger brother, Harvey. Amazing that you choose to live each day as your last. So empowering. Aah... so a move to a warmer climate is on the cards for you? Fab.
You are enjoying a maturity in life that we all might learn from. You are seeing the circle.
I started with Monday with hearing a part of a 5am news broadcast that should concern me. To CL:
Where was Patti's concert last night.?
Why should we? What parents of the 50+ set grill their children of their social whereabouts? New age answer: These, of course.
Immediate answers not forthcoming, plus three hours, major problems, safe, will advise later. Three more hours, expect a still later call. Phone message at 6pm to say they were on their way back to Salt Lake City. Not over yet by a long
shot. We may be among the lucky ones...but, they are still grounded.
Indian movie excerpt:
It will be all right in the end.
If it is not alright,
It is not the end.
May you always learn and advance in maturity.
Larry
Thanks Larry and Christie... glad to hear your daughter is safe. Beautiful quote, thanks for sharing.
So true. Over the years, I have lost many of my close friends and family. My father past this last New Years Eve, and although we survived the eye of Hurricane Irma passing directly over us (we live is Estero, Florida) unscathed, there were thousands who have lost everything. We must remember that life is good. Like it or not . . . life is good. Thanks for sharing.
Sorry to hear about your loss, William. You are so right, life is good.... if we look for the good.
Oh Lauren, I am sending you huge hugs! I am so sorry for your family. It is quite an emotional rollercoaster.
And when my dad went through something similar, I had to learn extreme compassion.
Each step of life seems to bring us to a place that either tests or grows our heart song. And either way we somehow find the notes.
The picture of your son's birthday party says it all. The simple hope and joy. That is the gift we can use each moment of our day no matter what shows up.
I always hope that at this moment and each successive one, we do show up and shine our light. It is all we have. It is all we need to be.
Thank you for the very raw beauty of this blog. I wish you ease.
I know you will be the comfort your family is needing right now.
Please take care of you too!
May this moment show you how loved you are. ariel
Aw, Ariel. Thank you for the love & compassion & light you show me and others in your beautiful words. You express yourself so well and I really appreciate our new friendship.
It's known as the Circle of Life---when you live long enough you'll see children taking care of their parents when they can't take care of themselves
Good Morning Lauren,
Indeed sad times for you and your family and friends.
Looking at the nice photos of the children's birthday party puts a smile on one's face again.
All the best Taetske
A very poignant piece. Thank you for sharing and I am sending you good wishes as you breathe through these difficult times.
With Grace and Gratitude
Karen
Life is so full of happiness and sadness. I like to think of life as a dance. Sometimes it's a slow dance and sometimes it's fast, but whatever you do, don't waste a minute of it.
Great post today, Lauren. It was fun seeing the pictures of your son's birthday. I'll be saying a little prayer for your dad.
Lauren, you have certainly had a week of mixed emotions.
I am very sorry to learn of your father's terminal illness.
How wonderful it is that you have these gorgeous photos of your son's birthday celebration. I hope your father is still able to get some enjoyment from your children.
As you say, life goes on and it is something I learned 17 years ago tomorrow, when my husband passed away. We do need to appreciate everybody while we are together. As my mother reminded me years ago, we are not promised tomorrow. And disastrous world events certainly prove that, far too often.
If I knew today was my last day I would be encouraging my family to move forward, and live their lives focused on peace, happiness and love.
Thank you for your beautiful thoughts, Valerie. Shoo, this post was close to home for you, grieving your husband's passing and celebrating his life tomorrow. So sorry to hear you were widowed so young. Really appreciate you sharing from your heart.
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I am so happy for your son, but so sorry for your father. I will pray for you and your family.
Thanks so much for your sincere wishes Mike.