“Dream as if you’ll live forever, live as if you’ll die
tomorrow.”
I’ve seen the quote several times, but I don’t know who said
it.
During the past three weeks, I’ve known three people who
passed away. None of them were close
friends, but acquaintances and good friends of people I’m close to.
It puts things in perspective a bit. The first, was someone I
knew from a local club and I actually saw him the night be passed away. Little did I know that laughing and joking at
the bar on a Saturday night would be the last time I’d see him. I think he had
a great time during his last day on Earth and I think he was probably content
with it being the end.
The second was a bartender and waiter in town with a smile
that was always present. He died
unexpectedly at the age of 34, which took everyone aback. I guess Billy Joel was onto something in the
70s with his song, “Only the Good Die Young.” It wasn’t long ago some friends
and I stopped in to the Emporium and talked about 2014 and all the plans that were
made for the year.
News this morning that Mark passed away was another shocking
blow to many. A young man with lots of
community connections and a huge heart, taken too soon.
It really makes me think. No one is guaranteed tomorrow, it’s
a gift not a right. But where’s the balance?
If you live life on the side of caution and never take risks, then it’s kinda
boring. If you take risks and live life
on the daring side and something happens, then you’re viewed as careless. I’m
not saying any of the above mentioned were either careful or careless…
I’m not exactly sure where I’m headed with this, I guess I
just wanted to think through it by using the keys on the keyboard. Maybe I was
hoping I’d have some big epiphany.
Maybe it’s nothing more than to remind myself to stop and
smell the roses. To tell those around me
that they mean a lot to me. Or maybe it’s a reminder to live each day to its
fullest.
For those of my close friends who are missing the people
mentioned above, I’m sorry for your loss. I know that they’ve touched your
lives and left you with some memories and laughs. And remember that people
enter your lives for a reason, a season or a lifetime, so make the most of it!
