A Matter of Time

Webster defines the definition of time as the indefinite continued progress of existence and events in the past, present, and future regarded as a whole. I have always said that your time is a precious thing. It can be measured in seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, years etc. Today I had the great privilege of talking to one of our residents at work. This resident and I talked about our families and how there is nothing like home sweet home. Our conversation became more serious, however when this person mentioned that they had cancer. There will be no more treatments, and he simply stated that his time is running out. This person proceeded to tell me that he wasn't scared and he was ready to say goodbye. He explained to me that his wife had also past from cancer and that while in her final days he did everything he could to make her happy and content. He said he didn't understand what she was going through, until he himself had been diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. This man proceeded to tell me that he hopes he goes peacefully. I couldn't help, but to become teary eyed as we sat and talked. I realized, yet again, that we are not promised tomorrow. We have no way of knowing what our future holds. This man said "you must make the most of everyday." How true is this simple statement? Our lives are like the clocks that hang on the wall... going round and round and round until finally this thing we call life comes to a complete stop. The End...time has run out. This man and I didn't talk for long, but in those few short minutes we were able to speak with one another, I had already learned so much. Our time here on this Earth is precious and it is up to us to make the most out of it. Sometimes I don't think we as humans realize just how wonderful life is and can be, until it's too late. When we are young, why is that we long for the days when we will be much older? I would give anything to have one more day as a kid. Free from responsibilities. Oh to have the innocence of a child again! I am 33 years old and I look back and I ask myself...where did the time go? I look at my son, who is now six years old and it blows my mind. I feel like Jeremy and I were just picking out paint colors for his room and now he is six! I stare at the calendar and in disbelief I see that it is already November. Soon Thanksgiving and Christmas will have come and gone. Sometimes I feel as if my life is on auto-pilot. The days and months just keep flying by. I have to remind myself to make time for the little things. Parents, I urge you to hug your children longer, get in the floor and play with them. Sing silly songs, tell stories, eat ice cream for dinner. Tell your loved ones just how much they mean to you. Do it before the moment passes you by. Never regret saying I love you, it may be your very last chance. Don't put off till tomorrow what you can do today. Tomorrow may never come. Time as we know it will eventually run out.