“Dream as if you’ll live forever, live as if you’ll die tomorrow.”

“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!