Every year we make resolutions. Every year we (mostly, probably) fail. At least, we don’t achieve them all.
There are a million articles about holding yourself accountable, breaking down your goals into small steps, and so forth.
This is not one of those articles. This is an article about death and the realities we face every day.
Every day we live, it’s another blessing. We also get one day closer to our actual death.
It’s January 1, 2024. Everyone is pumped. I’m pumped. You’re pumped. It’s a new year and a new opportunity! #NewYearNewMe
In reality, it’s still a day. It’s Monday. Next week will also be Monday. And the week after that. It’s also one day in a month with 31 of them.
Every day we live, breathe and see one another, is a gift. Not every day, but some days, maybe even the majority of them; we take it for granted.
We take for granted seeing our loved ones every morning and every night. I make a point to kiss my wife goodbye and tell her that I love her every time I leave the apartment.
But there are times, days, weeks maybe when I don’t see my friends or my family. We text, sure. We make plans, of course. But they don’t always come to fruition.
I had this exact scenario play out when I last saw my childhood best friend of 30 years at our high school reunion in August. We made plans. We talked about getting together again.
It never happened. He died unexpectedly on November 5th. I will never get the chance to laugh with him again. To reminisce on our 30+ years of memories and friendship.
I did get to say goodbye, though. I did get to see him one last time.
Seeing him, was the closure I needed, and to fully believe that he was gone. This is what every person goes through at a funeral.
Whether it is seeing someone laid out in a casket, or having their cremated remains present, encased inside an urn, everyone in attendance knows.
We see people every day. Strangers. Co-workers. Friends. Family. We never know when it could be our last time with them.
My message is simple: Don’t take 2024 for granted. Don’t take having your loved ones present and alive, for granted.
A day will come when you will wish you had known that it would be your last. On that day, seeing will be believing.
Happy New Year, everyone. God Bless.
Life, Death, and Everything in Between. 