My Thought for the Day...

...courtesy of Mick.

Talking to Mick always energizes me. At least talking to Mick for the last 8 months or so energizes me. I got to chat with him for a few minutes last night.

He told me about the way he is trying to live in the "now." I'm not always good at this myself, but it is something I really do try to do. What was really interesting to me is something Mick said about how there is nothing bad in the "now." If you are living right "now" you are not worrying about the future or feeling regret about the past. All that is real is what is happening "now." Interesting. And difficult to think about in light of some things that we DO worry about NOW.

How do you NOT worry about your child when he is diagnosed with a brain tumor? How do you NOT worry about the future when something as monumental as that is looking you in the face? I don't know. I suppose I know that the right answer is that these are times when it is even more important, perhaps more important than anything else, to live in the "now." I know that, I understand that. I just don't know if I could do it.

Learning that my cousin is facing the seriousness of a brain tumor is terrifying. It is also a reminder that each day we have together is a gift. You never know when things will change, so it's best to enjoy the people in your life "now."

Ken's birthday was just a few weeks ago, the same day as Jacob's. I knew he was feeling a little down about being back at school and wanted to send him a little something to let him know I was thinking about him. I got busy with the nonsense things that fill my day and almost didn't send out the package. But, I did because I wanted to make sure he got it in time for his birthday and hoped that it would make him happy. Something made me feel a connection to him just then...something that I can't really explain. Just about two weeks later I learned about the diagnosis. And I am SO glad that I allowed myself to feel that connection and remind him that I care about him. Yeah, it was just a silly little package of candies, but I would have felt very sorry had I not taken the opportunity to remind someone that I care about just how much I love them.

That's a lesson I am not likely to forget anytime soon.

And if you are reading this...well, I love you.