Accustomed to waking up between 6:30 and 7:00 am, I was in a profoundly deep slumber when my dog Scout whimpered quietly at my bedside around 6:00, letting me know that she could not wait any longer to go out. I was also deep into a dream, a dream of such intense aching feeling that fully awake and caffeinated as I have been for two and a half hours now, a veil of sad wistfulness remains heavily between me and a rain-drenched, beautiful morning.
Last night, a friend told me that she feels the bottom has been hacked off the hour glass of her life, and that her remaining time is hemorrhaging out, giving her an ever-increasing sense of urgency that she must do everything in her power to ensure that those she most loves in the world will be safe, and loved, after she is gone.
Ah, if only this were possible.
I watched her sob as she recognized that we can love powerfully, ferociously even, but in no way is this a guarantee of anything at all, except that we have done our very best — lived, and loved our very best.
And that must be enough.
Great sunrise pic over Lake Michigan… Is it yours?
Nope. Downloaded from flickr! And it’s actually some exotic location, maybe Thailand!
What a wonderful reminder, articulated so well. Thank you. I needed to hear what you had to say. Your words made a difference for one person today, and I hope that makes you feel as good as it does me when that rare opportunity occurs.
Thanks SO much. Yes, your comment, and the fact that this piece meant something to you, truly made my day.