We all experience situations that shake us up, make us realize that we are taking our time on earth for granted. This is one of those for us. Joseph is thinking about many things, bringing up ideas we have rarely discussed. We talk about the past, the mistakes we made, the people we love. Now is a time of contemplation and gratitude.
A few years back, I worked part-time for hospice, seeing people at two Hospice Houses a couple of weekends a month. Most weekends, there was at least one patient that would make me stop, catch my breath, and realize how much I took my health and having years stretching out in front of me for granted.
I would pick up a chart, look at the name, then the age. Most people were older, at the age where death was not such a surprising idea. But there were too many my age or younger. As I listened to their stories, I heard how they were going along, living life with kids and friends and family and work until wham—everything changed. Their lives changed course into a battle for life and for time. By the time I saw them in the hospice house, they were usually close to the end.
I do not take my health and life for granted anymore. I certainly do not take my time with Joseph for granted either. Our time together with each other, our family, and our friends is a gift.
