They had just gotten her turned and settled. He lay down on the small bed next to hers, planning to spend another night watching . . . waiting . . .  but before he could drift off to sleep she called to him, asking to be turned again.  “Why?” he questioned.  “We just turned you over.”

“I want to look at you.”

She knew it wouldn’t be long and with her words he knew the same. At that moment, with Death so very close, she wanted to look at the man with whom she’d spent a lifetime.  It hadn’t been easy; there had been struggles and disappointments and loss.  But now, in those last few hours, she wanted to see the face of the man who had walked beside her through it all.

There is a moment when Life and Death collide and you suddenly realize what is important. If you are fortunate, you have known it all along; you have taken advantage of it, nurtured it and cherished it.  If you have not, the realization will be accompanied by the knowledge that it is too late.  Whether we know it or not, from the day we are born until our last breath we are all preparing for that moment.  And although this blog usually addresses Death in some form or fashion, on occasion we will encourage our readers to actually, really live.  Given the story just related, today will be one of those days.

Make the most of the time you have.

          Appreciate the people around you.

                    Practice kindness and generosity at every opportunity.

                              Die with memories, not dreams.

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