The Fragility of Time

We think we have all the time in the World. We've heard all the cliches, 'time waits for no man', 'live life like its's your last', 'seize the day'. Yet, life gets in the way! Another saying that is all too true is, 'life happens when you're busy making plans'. Despite this awareness, many of us still sleepwallk through life, going through the same routines and presenting the same excuses as reasons why we can't change or, do the things we want to do.

The truth is we have commitments, bills to pay, children, parents, spouses to look after. Striving to attain what society deems success. Death has a way of bringing all of this sharply into focus. It reminds us that it can all be gone in a blink of an eye and what, then does any of it matter?

What matters most if the impact you've had on others. How you've made them feel, how much you've loved. The memories you've created and the lessons you've learnt and taught.

We all know we will die. This truth is one of the only givens in life. The question is how and when.

Naively I always thought I'd have my parents for so much longer than I did and I'm still reeling from the years that have been snatched away. I still can't get my head around the fact that on the day Mum went to hospital she was still going about her daily routine. Tea in the morning, feed the cat, read the paper, do a crossword, think about dinner for later, put some washing on. Go to the doctor about the neck and facial swealling and drive to A&E to get checked out. Later, 'we've found a mass and need to keep you in for a bit'. One week later, discharged with a bag full of medicine but walking out of hospital. Two weeks later, morphine drivers and final breath!

I guess this should have been a lesson. A wake up call on how quickly life can change...