Appreciate what you have

[Jay Lerner-Z]

Posted: 4/23/14 at 3:56pm

I'm sorry to get all hippy dippy and maudlin on you, but I just want to gently remind you all that life is short.

A friend of mine died recently, suddenly. He was 23 years old. Needless to say, he's been on my mind a lot and it's really made me realize how lucky I am.

Any day could be your last, so make the most of it!

Take it all in, stop for a moment to appreciate the sunny weather, or the full moon, or a newborn baby or a cloud rolling by. Tell your loved ones what they mean to you - don't assume they already know. Don't sweat the small stuff. Be nice to people.

I know this all a big pile of hoary clichés, and I'm sure many of you have been in similar circumstances, but I'm in that kind of mood right now.

Like Meryl Streep said in The Hours...

"I remember one morning getting up at dawn, there was such a sense of possibility. You know, that feeling? And I remember thinking to myself: So, this is the beginning of happiness. This is where it starts. And of course there will always be more. It never occurred to me it wasn't the beginning. It was happiness. It was the moment. Right then. "

Live now!

[Jane2]

Posted: 4/23/14 at 3:59pm

Excellent post. You are wise for a young man. Life is not a dress rehearsal - this is it.

[StockardFan]

Posted: 4/23/14 at 4:01pm

I'm so sorry for your loss. But thank you for stating so eloquently what so many of us forget every day.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 4/23/14 at 4:18pm

Lovely post. Your friend was taken much too soon.

And that Michael Cunningham quote is not a collection of hoary clichés at all.

[Reginald Tresilian]

Posted: 4/23/14 at 5:02pm

I'm so sorry to hear that. Thank you for this lovely and important reminder.

[Scripps2]

Posted: 4/23/14 at 6:08pm

And I appreciate the wisdom, the wit, the culture and the intellect of many posters on this board and in this thread.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 4/23/14 at 6:48pm

{{{{{hugs}}}}