Have you ever had to face your own mortality? I suppose, in a sense, we are all getting closer to death with each passing day. That's one way to look at it. Kind of a depressing way to look at it, but somewhat realistic. Sure, there's a chance that you could lengthen your existence by exercising, eating right, and cutting back on the bad habits--the odds are there, but still no guarantees. And on the other side of the coin, I'm sure you can accelerate your time of exiting by making poor health and life decisions. None of this is new, it just tends to stay on the back burner in our minds. But what if you knew your time was limited? What if your time of exiting had been accelerated not by poor choices, but by disease? How would you react? Not necessarily your initial reaction, but your "plateaued" reaction--after the shock, the flood of emotions, and the acceptance had plateaued. How would you live the remainder of your time here? Few would be able to physically conquer bucket list check-offs like bungee jumping or backpacking Europe. The disease has already hindered your body. Mentally? Well, who's to say where your mind would go. This is the deepest of deep conversations to have with yourself. This is life and death. This is faith, spirituality, religion. This is family, friends, babies, and pets you love more than most people. This is the conversation that makes every other conversation seem pointless. Politics? Who cares. This is leaving all you've ever known and hoping...well, some people hope...that there is something on the other side allowing you to somehow continue. We're not just bodies, we're souls. Some good, some not so good. Some great. I'm asking you these questions not because I'm trying to sell you life insurance, but because I just think they need to be thought about from time to time. I believe that it forces your hand in determining for yourself what kind of person you really are. And if your answer is "I don't know", then I'm pretty sure that's okay, because once again, this is a deep, deep talk. Me? Well, I can't promise you I wouldn't freak out at least a little bit. I can't promise that I wouldn't be mad. Mad at God. Mad at cancer. Mad at someone...anyone. But I can promise you that I would eventually find good. Good meaning appreciation, love, peace, and whatever other strong trait my soul has gained through being raised by and around good people. I think of nature. I think of family. I think of endless amazing relationships that I'm a part of. I think of kiddos. I think of great souls and spirituality that runs so much deeper than flesh and blood. In a world littered with chaos and negativity, these are the things that matter and that I hold on to. These things strengthen and persevere. These things are good. None of us like to think about the lights suddenly being shut off...or someone telling us the lights will be shut off sooner than we would like. It's not a fun conversation at all. But if you dip your feet into the discussion just a little, maybe you can find some love, appreciation, and some peace that you might typically take for granted. My mother-in-law, Ann Reins was forced into this conversation back in April, when she was diagnosed with inoperable pancreatic cancer. It has not been easy, but she is finding some good. If you would like to help Ann and her family with any medical, hospice, and funeral bills, please visit www.gofundme.com/annreins //re.
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AuthorI am Earl. Archives
May 2024
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