A Painful Loss and a Beautiful Realization

Last week I lost a cousin unexpectedly.  His passing was premature.  He left behind a beautiful wife and three young kids.  My heart aches not just for myself and no longer being able to see him or talk to him, but it aches for his family he left behind.

As we wipe our tears and comfort one another, I am filled with gratitude for another day on this planet.  We just don’t know when our ticket will be called.  We don’t know if we have tomorrow, or even five minutes from now.  All we really ever have is this moment, right now.

Rather than worrying about tomorrow or fretting about yesterday, I choose to be fully present in this moment.  To really see my kids, to hug them more, to tell my husband I love him.  To be grateful for the breath of life that fills my lungs, for my heart that continues to beat non-stop. To savor the sights, the smells, the tastes, the very essence of life.  To really feel the beauty of this day, this moment … it’s the only thing I have and it is more than I could ever ask for.

Take a moment today and tell those in your life how much you love them.  Give them an extra hug and kiss.  Enjoy it.  Savor it. Don’t put it off till tomorrow.  Tomorrow is not yet yours.  Do it today.  All it will take is 60 seconds…

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