No. 32: Impressions and Expressions
February 4th 2009 23:14
A sunny drive
The music is playing, the room is warm -- ah! all is good for the moment.
As I sit here in my office by the lake, the sun seems to move downward, ever closer to the land level on the horizon. It is casting a very bright reflection upon the water that is bouncing up through the glass windows like a floodlight illuminating its subject. It is only 5:12 p.m., and I know this wonderful light will grow dimmer and dimmer as I write this post.
Like so many of life's object lessons, it reminds me of our existence. We too appear to come from the dark into the light, the light is brighter in our youth and brightest at the zenith of our productive years, then grows continually dimmer until it goes out.
The thing that so many seem to miss is that this whole process IS EXTREMELY SHORT! Long ago our species learned not to think about this subject very much, in order to maintain our sanity and composure--that is, except when we are reminded. But, we have learned to ponder our own life's short duration at funerals, in nursing homes and when we have a life-altering event. The funeral reminders are painful, yet obvious, but the nursing home and life-altering events catch most of us off guard.
We placed my mother into a rehabilitation center just over a year ago. Although personally, I have had the honor of visiting such places for decades, each time my wife and I visit her there, we are reminded of our fragile and short-term existences. Almost instantly upon entering the facility and looking at the first resident, a thought emerges--"the only thing separating me from this is either time or death!"
As we look into my mother's dimming eyes, our own eyes travel to one another, conjuring up questions within us as to just how much longer we will share our happiness together. It is sobering. Because of these revelations, each time I leave there it is with a new determination for doing more--and doing things better--before the light gets too dim!
Thankfully, right now I cannot speak for the life-altering experiences much. Many of you have had closer calls than I. Perhaps we all have had some near-death encounters, such as cancer, heart troubles, slips and falls, vehicular accidents, plane close calls. These are all ways in which our thoughts may be thrust into the arena of introspection. It is at these times that many say they feel more determined to move through their own remaining years in more positive ways.
It is now 5:50 p.m. the sun's rays are more angular, the color spectrum has shifted more toward gold. My thoughts change a bit-- I am still alive! The challenges are still here. The mortgage payments, the electricity, water, insurance and other bills still scream to my memory. I am a bit older and know the process continues and seems to accelerate, But, I AM alive!
While we have our health and our hearts keep beating, we can meet the challenges that emerge and have victory over them. For we are no different from those who came before us -- we too, can conquer most anything that seeks victory! After all, we have been given a good intellect, and insight into its processes. Like Leonardo DeCaprio in the movie, "Titanic," we each can see life as "the King of the World." Life is exhilarating!
It is now 6:03, the light is dimming rapidly. I will meet the challenges put before me, just as you will do the same.
Until our next meeting. Keep it between the lines.
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