Perspective

It was just over a year ago when I blogged about the death of a 15-year-old. Now, I am sorry to say, I am blogging about the death of a 42-year-old.

Last year, the death of the young man hit me so hard. I had never met him and yet I sobbed at the memorial service from the moment my foot hit the parking lot pavement until the service ended. The grief felt so huge. I tried to imagine his mother’s loss. Impossible.

Recently, an acquaintance of mine died. I had met her a few times at the Journey retreats of The Leadership Institute. She was a very warm and gracious person. Her name was Grace. Grace’s death hit me differently. Because she was a woman about my age and general life stage (married with children), I am more sobered than grief stricken. The grief I feel is mostly for her husband and beautiful daughter that she left behind. How they will cope with the loss of their wife and mother can only be covered by the grace of God.

For Grace, herself, I sense peace as she is rejoicing in Heaven and is free from illness. I have also been truly thankful for life in ways that I have not been in the recent past. Every morning when my husband and I pray, I thank God for “the gift of the new day.” This phrase is not cliche anymore. I am truly thanking Him for allowing me to wake up and live a new day.

Life is fleeting...Grace had gone to the doctor with a cough that wouldn’t go away. Instead of hearing something like “cold,” “virus” or “bronchitis,” she found out that she had lung cancer. About 6 months later she died.

Each day is a gift. Really. A gift. What am I doing with the time I have been given? My time may come at any moment. I want to be able to say that I was present in each moment, available to love God and to love people. What are the things that rob me of the ability to be grateful, present, and truly alive?

Perspective - the little things that I get bent out of shape about day-to-day are really not that big a deal. Today is a gift and I want my arms to be wide open to receive it.

Remain in Peace

“Do not think about what will happen tomorrow, for the same eternal Father who takes care of you today will look out for you tomorrow and always. Either He will keep you from evil or He will give you invincible courage to endure it. Remain in peace.” (St. Francis de Sales)