It’s been a tough few years and today is a reminder of that. There are days when it seems that if something goes wrong, the world will collapse. There are days when staying in bed all day seems like the only reasonable action.
8 years ago my dad was diagnosed with cancer. To be honest, it sucked, but it didn’t seem like a big deal. He was relatively healthy, had ridiculous knowledge in the field of natural medicine, and had the most positive attitude of almost anyone I have ever met. If anyone was going to get out unscathed, it was him. For years he followed treatment with a number of wonderful doctors, naturopaths, and various other support networks. Sometimes the treatments worked and sometimes they didn’t. In the fourth and fifth years of their battle, long-term hospitalizations became the norm. I was taking my 3 children, including the newborn twins, to see their grandfather in the hospital. I can describe most of the hospitals in the Edmonton region – the best parking, the best view, the best food, etc. Eventually he was transferred to a hospice hospital.
The hospice staff could not understand why he was sent to their facility. If you are referred to hospice care, doctors generally expect you to pass away within 6 months. My dad came to the farm and worked on tractors, went to arts and crafts classes, lived life to the best of his ability. He wasn’t feeling well, but he didn’t seem like someone who should be in hospice care. The staff even considered taking him off the premises because he was too healthy. It had been five months since his stay and exactly one year from today that he made the transition to his heavenly home. My mom, my brother, and I were in the room with him when it happened. Being with someone when they die is a life changing experience. One that I cannot fully describe. It makes life seem more real. Anything can happen at any moment: we can be here one breath and disappear the next.
A couple of weeks ago, another tragedy occurred that reminded me of this very lesson. My uncle was riding a bicycle and was hit at highway speed by an oncoming truck. Once again, one of the most positive and loving people I know. He’s alive, in large part because of many prayers, but he has a long road to recovery ahead of him. When he got on his bike that morning, he didn’t think the trip would end with STARS flying him to the hospital at the end of the day. I was just living life.
You may wonder why I have shared all of this. Partly because I find it cathartic, but mostly because it will allow you to understand my WHY.
Why do I do what I do, why am I who I am.
Life is fragile and beautiful. They can take it away from us in the blink of an eye. I want to live with a purpose in mind that today may be my last day. Was I nice? Was I a good example for those around me? Did I help those I could?
Life is too short to think about sadness and tragedy. Life sucks sometimes. He does it for you and he does it for me. But what can you learn from these tragedies? There is always a lesson you can learn if you are looking for it.
Appreciate your friends and family. That’s what matters. Possessions come and go.
Everyone needs faith, something and someone to believe in. Sometimes knowing that God is in control is enough, even if life is meaningless right now.
Take care of yourself. Sometimes strange accidents happen that cannot be avoided, but most of the time poor dietary choices and lack of exercise lead to health problems and illness. You may not beat the odds, but you can at least turn them in your favor.
My passion is helping people make the most of their lives. This is my why!
What is your why?