Musings On Death And Life.

We are odd creatures, we humans. We know that our lives, that ALL lives, are finite. We know that everyone we know will die, that everything we love will eventually cease to be. The old saying “No one gets out of this alive” isn’t just a joke, it’s a truism.

And yet, we plunge on with our lives. Too busy to recognise how much we love our families and friends, how much we love our animal companions, how much we need life, love, beauty in our lives. But just like the song says, “Don’t it always seems to go/That you don’t know what you got ’til it’s gone”.

Watch any of the footage from the recent mass slayings. Every survivor, each and every one, will say something to the effect of “I wish I could have said ‘I love you’ one more time”.

Death, great or small, singular or massed, will touch us all. It’s unavoidable. And simple words won’t stop it happening. People will get shot, cars and planes will crash, disease will cut great swathes though our lives. But take it from me, with what has happened to me recently, you do have a tiny bit of control over death. You can’t stop or slow it, but you can make it less lonely, less cold, less impersonal. And it’s very, very simple.

Just say “I love you” to someone you care for. Not just on birthdays or holidays or anniversaries, but every day. Maybe even several times a day. Or give ’em a kiss or a hug (or both). Whether the object of your affection speaks human, animal, or whatever, make your love known. Don’t wait until it’s too late, then bemoan that you didn’t get the chance to say something. Do it NOW. And keep doing it. To friends, to family, to pets, heck – even to trees and plants. It takes so little time and effort, and can bring such great reward. Here’s how easy it is.

To my followers, thanks – and yes, I love all of you as friends. To a certain “rare bird”, your caring words touched me deeply, and I am grateful I found you among the ethers of the Net. To my recently departed Frosty, I love you, little Momma. And to my wonderful wife, a truly one in a trillion gal, well – hey, that’s kinda personal, do ya mind?!?

Thanks for putting up with me. I hope all your weekends are a LOT better than mine’s gonna be.

 

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