01 January 2009

Time

If there is one thing I learned in 2008, it's that none of us knows how much time we have left here on earth.

Although it sounds a bit trite, I've come to understand that every single day we have is a gift.

I believe that a gift is something unexpected, something not to be taken for granted.


The day that my mom passed away started out like any other for her. She was going about her normal activities -- visiting friends, shopping for groceries -- when suddenly, her time on earth was done.

Experiencing and reflecting on her passing jarred me into a harsh reality: The same thing could happen to me, or to any one of us, at any time. Any day.

Would I be ready?

Every single day we are here on earth is a gift, yet I often squander the gift of time. I fritter away hours on the urgent and neglect the truly important. I miss opportunities to connect with a friend or to really listen to someone close to me.

In 2009, I want to more carefully use the gift of time. I want to spend it more thoughtfully in order to leave the world a better place, be it through a kind word or deed, or a memory captured and preserved.

I don't want to leave the truly important things undone.


14 comments:

Anonymous said...

Happy New Year ... beautifully stated. I wish you the most blessed times!!!

Julie

Daisy said...

Happy New Year! Thanks for making me think. Every day truly is precious.

Anonymous said...

Happy New Year, Janet. You have put it very well...each moment is very precious.

Heather said...

You are so right Janet. Wonderful post. I think we call benefit from valuing our time and others in a more thoughtful way.

Kristina said...

Great post and having similar experiences with our mothers, I also find that time has a different meaning. I tend to measure some things in regards to my mom's passing....KWIM? or maybe I'm not making sense. Happy New Year, Janet.

Janet said...

Happy New Year, everyone! Thank you for stopping by today!

Kristina-Yes, I DO understand what you are saying. I do the same, because EVERYTHING in my world changed on the day she died.

Benita said...

What a wonderful post! You truly got me thinking this morning (or should I say afternoon?).

Happy New Year to you & your family!

Sherrie said...

Like everyone else I get so caught up in the day to day craziness that I forget what is most important. Thanks for the reminder! Have a wonderful 2009!

Linda said...

Happy New Year Janet! I think about this a lot too...beautifully stated.

emily said...

well said. thank you for this reminder. Happy wishes for you in the new year!

Sarah Coggins said...

Wonderful post, Janet! So very true. It's amazing how quickly the minutes and days go by and we take too many of those for granted. Thanks for sharing these thoughts today. ((HUGS))

toners said...

Well said, Janet. So very true. Happy New Year to you and your family!

Maureen said...

Words to truely live by.

Thanks for the reminder!

Cheri said...

A beautiful thought for the new year; may it bear you well! *hugs*