live as if today is your last

As a think back to New Year’s Eve 2012, I am reminded of how of how quickly a life can change.  I remember sitting with one of my granddaughters, MaKenna, and watching the ball drop in Times Square.  As we watched this event take place, we decided that we would go to New York when her and Gracie become teenagers and experience the excitement firsthand. Everything was wonderful.  We were dreaming of things to come and Papa was sleeping peacefully in his bed.  We had no clue that in just two short months we would be saying goodbye (for now) to this wonderful husband, father and papa. 
Several weeks later, we were given the unbelievable news that Papa probably only had about a month to live.  Oh my goodness, how that news changed our lives. From that day forward, we embraced life a little differently.  We slowed down and began to enjoy every moment that we could with Mike.  We did everything possible to make sure that he was happy and content.  We fixed his favorite foods, watched his favorite shows on TV without complaining, rubbed his feet with lotion, and etc.  We no longer thought about what we needed and wanted, it was all about making sure he enjoyed his last days on this earth.  Friends and family visited often and he loved every second of it.  His wish was to be surrounded by the people he loved.  So that’s what we did.
We were lucky or perhaps I should say blessed.  We were given a warning.  We knew that Mike’s earthly life was dwindling away.  Not everyone is given that warning. 
So as you make your New Year’s Resolutions, I encourage you to let one of them be that you will live life as if Today is Your Last and treat your loved ones as if Today is Their Last.  Don’t wait until you know they are dying to spend time with them, to treat them with simple acts of kindness, and to make sure they know you love them.  You may not be given that opportunity.

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