Of Life and Death and In Between

In the past week, I have experienced friends overjoyed at the birth of their first child, the death of a pillar of my community and a co-worker learning that she has not one, but two, brain tumors. Each of these occurrences serve to remind me that there are no guarantees in life and despite our best-laid plans and goals and to-do lists, sometimes we are faced with experiences, opportunities and challenges we never anticipated or conjured up when we imagined what life would bring our way.

Of life, there is so much hope, promise, and joy in anticipating the future when a baby is born. Who or what will this little person become? What will his personality be—shy, outgoing, funny, warm, sensitive? How will he make his mark on the world? Who will love him and who will he love? What will he be passionate about? What will he do with his life? There are no limitations when we think about a life that has yet to unfold.

Of death, the final limitation has been reached and there are no more questions, but only answers defining who a person was, how they lived, what was important to them. Family and friends are left behind, cherishing the memories of a shared life. Hopefully there is satisfaction in knowing that it was a life well-lived, with few regrets.

In between, there are good days and bad, triumphs and failures, sadness and elation. Sometimes things go as we expect, goals are reached and plans come to fruition. What we envisioned or dreamed about becomes reality. Other times, we are faced with challenges that can seem insurmountable and make us feel like we have been transported to some parallel universe that makes us ask, “How did I end up here?”

No matter the season of life—the beginning, the end, or the middle—I am reminded that there are no certainties and that every day I should love and cherish my family and friends and make sure they know it. I should say yes more than no to the opportunities and adventures that come my way. And I should live in the now and be present and fully engaged in the moments I have with the people I love.