Over the past week I have been caring for my mom. She and my
dad are in a retirement facility and are living independent of any outside
care, which is a blessing. My mom, however, has some issues that require that
she not be left alone. My dad was in the NW this week, moving his only sister
here to live in Colorado. It has been an honor to spend time with my mom while
my dad has been away.
You can’t spend a week in a retirement facility without
spending some time thinking about your own future and, to the extent possible,
your own end game.
First off, let me say that the people we ate with and spent
time with were wonderful to a person. It was a wonderful experience for an
instant connector like me to meet and get to know a bunch of new, very
interesting, people. They all have lifelong stories of ups and downs, victories
and failures.
As I observed them, day after day, I began to realize just
how close I am to being one of them. We could enter that facility in seven
years if we wanted to. Where has the time gone? Have I accomplished what I have
wanted to at this point in my life? What more do I want to do? If there are
dreams I want to see fulfilled, I better get to work on them!!
I wrote a poem once about these thoughts. Live each moment
so that you don’t regret looking back at it…to the best of your ability.
Seize the Moment
YESTERDAY
CANNOT BE CHANGED
TOMORROW
CANNOT BE WRITTEN
ALL
WE HAVE IS NOW, TODAY
TO
USE, TO DO, TO LIVE IN
IF
THIS IS TRUE SHOULD WE NOT NOT GIVE
MORE
CARE TO HOW WE SPEND IT
FOR
TIME ONCE USED IS TIME NOW GONE
WE
CANNOT APPREHEND IT
This morning singer Sandra McCracken tweeted a quote from
her four year old. “Mommy, can I be a little more in charge of you since it’s
almost my birthday?” I tweeted back to Sandra: “Love her well, Sandra, because,
yes, in time, she will be in charge of you” (if Jesus tarries).
I have that honor now. I love you mom!
