I watched the video yesterday of the helicopter crashing into the Hudson River yesterday, just off the Jersey City Shore. It was frightening to see the video of the aircraft plummet into the water. As the story developed and we all heard the details of a young family of five from Spain, visiting New York City for the mother’s fortieth birthday, thoughts went to the three small children, the cold water, the fear they all must have felt and the horror the pilot must have felt. Going to sleep last night, thoughts went to all the family vacations we had taken our children on, (none included a helicopter ride), but airline flights, boat rides, a driving RV trips, drives to Camp Michiganian, touring Washington DC and trips to see grandparents. Like the family yesterday, our hope was to spend time together as a family making memories that would be with us all for a lifetime…
We all take a risk everyday when we get up, back out of our drive way, get on that train, subway or flight. There are no guarantees in life. We take our chances and whether we accept it or now, this is the lot we are given as humans, that’s just the way it is. Our life can be taken from us in an instant, or we can be diagnosed with an illness that can be with us for a period of time. A diagnosis can give us forewarning and time to get our affairs in order, say our peace with those we love and leave this earth knowing somewhat the calendar of our remaining days. Modern medicine may be able to give us a cure, or extended time, but all of us are on borrowed time. We all have an invisible expiration date stamped on our forehead (or somewhere). God has determined our time here and what he has given, he can take away. Really, it’s that simple…
Last week we went to two memorials/funerals (one funeral, one visitation for a family member and a life long friend’s sister). Some people have a hard time going to funerals for a variety of reasons and that is valid. Everyone is free to have the feelings they have based on their life experiences or beliefs. Funerals serve a few purposed. For the family they allow a time to say good-bye, it can give them closure. If there was a long illness it may be a time for a family to see an end to their loved one’s suffering. For a ‘unexpected or untimely’ death, it may be a time of an acceptance of a shock. For those extended family and friends, it’s a chance to see and accept that the death has occurred and a time to comfort and extend condolences to the family. It can be a call to action for a family and close friends to come together to help those left behind in terms of emotional support and the support of time and efforts to aid the family left with a hole in their heart. For all, it is a reminder that life is short, time is fleeting and what we all have in common is that we will all die. Yes, we all know this but seeing the photos, the flowers, the tears, the casket the body, reminds us that this will be our fate too…
Will we say the words we need to to those we love? Maybe we already do, before we hang up on the phone to our parent, kids and other loved ones, “ I love you”…Maybe we kiss our spouse as they or we are walking out the door so that if we or they don’t come back, we know, they knew…Maybe we have already settled scores with those we have had unsettled words with and if it was our time there is nothing left to say…Maybe, in some circumstances, enough words have been said, it is what it is, and no more words are necessary because things are the way they are and we have made peace with that. Sometimes, unfortunately, that’s the way it is. Beating oneself over something that is the way it is, is acceptable and that is necessary to realize…
It is said so frequently, yet so true, “LIFE IS SHORT” how will we choose to live those days? In love, in strife, in making an effort for good or making an effort or not so good?
I have described before in essays, a note, a friend from Church sent me when my Dad passed away. It read:
“Mary Yana, you know your Dad loved you, he knew you love him, and you will see him again.” That gave me such comfort then and so often in these almost seven years later. In my daily prayers, I am grateful for all the years I had with my Dad, that he and my Mom made sure I had a Faith and that I was with him, holding his hand when he left us…
And just like that, the pilot in yesterday’s crash and the Escobar family were gone. It was their time. How will we choose to use our time today…The Clock is Ticking…Wishing you a Great Day & time well spent ❤️
