A Little Perspective

There is nothing like death to put life into perspective.

My Uncle passed away last week from cancer.  Another Uncle passed away almost a year ago from cancer.  My Dad passed away almost 3 years ago, guess what, you got it-from cancer.  Cancer is an ugly disease and it knows no bounds. No one is untouchable.  We hear the term "cancer" all the time.  Almost everyone's lives have been touched by cancer in some way. The Doctor's try to "guesstimate", if you will, the time of death, but they do not know.  Only God knows.  They gave my Uncle 6 months or less 2 months ago.  It seems the "or less" is way too often the winner.  I don't think you can ever really prepare yourself for death, for losing someone you love.  The tears pour down and the heart aches.  The pain is insurmountable.

 I  traveled home for the funeral, and as I am dreading what is to come, I am also looking forward to being with my family and friends during this time. To hug them and talk with them is  a great comfort.  Everyone has gathered to mourn our lost loved one and pay their respects.  We grieve for our loss, but we should rejoice in their gain. They are in heaven, they are at rest, they are in a better place then we are.  They are no longer hurting or suffering, but welcomed with open arms by Jesus and the loved ones that went on before them. 

It is amazing sometimes how death can bring a family closer together.  It can mend a friendship, it can heal a bitter heart, it can make you hug longer and say "I love you" a little more often.  You suddenly realize what really matters.  Your husband forgot to take the trash out, big deal, he didn't do it on purpose.  Your toddler pitches another fit, try to smile, at least he/she is healthy and remember "this too shall pass"!  Your wife is nagging you about leaving your socks on the floor, pick them up and make her happy! Your co-worker makes a snide comment, maybe they are having a bad day, smile anyway, it may make them feel better, and I am certain it will  make you feel better. My point is, none of it really matters.  No one is perfect, we all are just a "work in progress."   And every breath we breathe is a gift from God.  Always give 100% of yourself, smile bigger, love stonger and laugh even harder.  This life is too short to sweat the small stuff, put some perspective on it,  and grant yourself LIFE!

Outlook

SO, I woke up the other morning on the wrong side of the bed, it was going to be one of those days I had decided.  I am running late for work, flying thru traffic, and then I come to a stop light, and to the right of me is a bus station.  I see a lady hobbling over to take  a seat on the bench to wait for the bus.  There is something wrong with her leg, I can tell by the way she is walking.  She is an older lady, not real old, let's just say her youth is behind her.  And it is HOT outside. And as she finally takes a seat on the bench, she sighs, she obviously walked far with a not so good leg in the boiling heat, and she is tired, tired and hot.  She was relieved to sit and rest, while she awaits the bus.  Tears begin to well up in my eyes.  Here I have been grumbling and groaning about how bad things are going for me and how I have decided  that it is going to be a bad day.  And I am sitting in my car, with cool air blowing in my face, my choice of music playing, no physical ailments.  There is a tugging at my heart and a knock to my head from God to remind me that I am blessed.  I don't know why sometimes it takes these things to make us realize how blessed we are, but I am glad it does.  We never know what someone is facing, what hardship they are battling.  We should always be grateful for what we  have.  I think this lady was grateful for that bus bench, because after she sighed, she smiled.  My outlook had completely changed all in the time it took that red light to turn green. I decided to not have a bad day that day.