Last week a very dear friend's mother died. Although not totally unexpected, as she had been mostly bedridden for a long time at an extended care facility, it is never easy for someone to say goodbye to their Mother.

Yesterday, I learned that another person close to me is currently in the hospital waiting her turn to return to her home in heaven. Mary Logan has been an inspiration to me over the past 20 months as she battled cancer that has spread throughout her body. It is most especially in her lungs and brain. Despite numerous operations, a fall that resulted in a broken hip, chemo and various other treatments her faith has remained strong and her husband vigilant by her side. It is never easy to say goodbye to someone you love, not even when you know that their suffering will end and they will soon be with God, our father.

I have had many "aha moments" in my life. There have been many life changing events. One that forever changed the way I view and live my life was the conversation I had with my dad in the wee small hours of the night at their home on ash street. I've written about it before; the conversation is echoing in my mind.

My dad had been diagnosed with prostrate cancer and like most people who find out that kind of news my dad went through a roller coaster of emotions. My sons and I were staying with my parents and I was wandering around the house with my insomnia when my dad came into the living room. He looked peaceful, different than he had earlier in the day. I asked him how he was doing and he said he was doing fine. He realized he had been given a gift. A gift? How outrageous. He was told he had cancer, that is a hell of a gift. My dad went on to explain that everyone is going to die someday. That when this adventure is over we go on to the next. To his knowledge no one ever didn't die sometime. He said he was given a reminder, a wake-up call that life is all too short and fleeting and you should make the most out of each day. He was absolutely right! As it turned out the original diagnosis said my dad might have 2 years he had nine. The other thing my dad said was that doctor's are mortal men and they can only make their best calculated guess, miracles happen and life is unpredictable.

I have lived each day as though it might be my last. Mostly this has been good actually mostly great. The only unfortunate side effect is that when I think about the future I sometimes feel overwhelmed. I get restless wanting to do everything today and I want to see my family and loved ones each day but geographically that isn't possible.

As I start this new day, this new week my heart aches for those who are suffering and those who have lost loved ones. I miss my parents, dear friends and grandparents that have died. I find comfort in looking up at the stars and envisioning them as windows where our loved ones look down and keep watch over us. As I start this new day, this new week I feel blessed to have been given these moments, "the present" of today.

So much for blogging and rambling thoughts it is a fantastic day of untold possibility. I hope you remain safe, heed my dad's words and enjoy your today.