As many of you know this year vehicles have been the bane of my existence. After being a passenger in 2 accidents, having 3 vehicles break down, and buying 3 new ones I have been drifting in my appreciation of the invention of the motor car. Recently though I have realized how truly fortunate I’ve been in the fact that none of these experiences have ended up worse than they did.
1 month ago today a choice was made by a driver. I know no details about this driver at all…not age, name, gender…nothing. Perhaps it was a young mother consumed in thoughts of what needed to be accomplished that day after dropping her children off at school. Maybe it was a working man who left the house just a couple of minutes late that morning, and was concerned about losing the job that he and his family counted on if he was a couple of minutes late. It could have been someone heading off to a job interview, nervous about how it was going to go, and wanting desperately to make a good impression. Or possibly it was someone heading home tired after working a graveyard shift the night before. Really it could have been anyone in any situation. The fact is that someone made a choice…a simple lapse of judgement…a desire to get somewhere 2 minutes faster, a distraction that kept them from seeing the truck until it was too late to brake…whatever it was that caused them to swerve around that truck ended up being a life changing moment for them; costing a young man my age his life, and changing the lives of many people that I care about.
Over this last month I have had so many thoughts in so many different directions directly related to this. I want to share them with you, and I’m going to try to do it in a way that keeps it from being too jumbled, but forgive me if I don’t succeed!
First, it is so important to make the most of every moment! We really don’t ever know what will happen tomorrow…or even later today…so what’s the point in pushing things off until later? If there’s something important that you want to do: Do it! If there’s something that you want to say: Say it! Don’t spend your time rationalizing why you shouldn’t do it now…just take initiative, and get it done. Life is full of surprises, and twists and turns…and it’s not worth it to have to deal with regrets and ‘what if’s’. To quote a movie that I love “ … ‘what’ and ‘if’ are two words as non-threatening as words can be. But, put them together side by side, and they have the power to haunt you for the rest of your life… (Letters to Juliet)” Don’t risk that being the case for you. Live your dreams, stick to your beliefs, and most importantly make sure that the people that you love know that you do.
Second, drive carefully! That 2 extra minutes isn’t going to make that much of a difference. Pay attention to the traffic and pedestrians around you. Not only will slowing down and paying attention create safer roads for everyone, but you’ll be able to enjoy the beauty around you more. Especially this time of year when the roads get slippery, and the weather more unpredictable, make sure that you are prepared. Nothing is so important as being able to wake up tomorrow knowing that you are safe and guilt-free.
Third, take comfort in knowing that the Lord has a plan. Sometimes life doesn’t seem fair. Sometimes, especially with those who are taken young, “Why?” seems an appropriate question to ask. Not only is there mourning for a life lost, but there is almost always mourning for a life not yet fully lived. It’s hard to accept that it’s happened, and harder to trust that there was a reason. But the Lord knows each of us. He understands our pain and heartache, no matter where it comes from, because He’s felt it too. This young man’s mission in life was over…he had accomplished what he needed to, and so he was called home…and (hopefully many many years from now) he’ll have the privilege of being able to welcome each of his loved ones as they join him. That’s the beauty of the Plan of Happiness. To quote another favourite movie “…the Lord promised that we can be together as a family forever, even after we die…dying’s just still part of the deal.(Charly)” It’s normal and natural for those left behind to mourn, and feel the sadness in the loss of one they love…but it’s also important to remember that it’s not the end of a journey, rather the beginning of a new branch of it!
Last, but not least, is the importance of careful consideration of the choices that we make in life. Every moment of each day there are decisions to make…some less important, some more…but each will have a consequence good or bad, and some will affect more than just ourselves. There’s a quote from a book I’m reading right now that sums up my thoughts on this pretty well…
“Life comes down to a series of choices and decisions. We find ourselves constantly at a crossroads.
There are a thousand possible paths. You must decide which path is best for you. It is not a decision that you must make today. Take the time necessary to become familiar with your legitimate needs, deepest desires, and talents. Start to make the small decisions of your day-to-day life in alignment with your essential purpose. By honouring the meaning and purpose of your life in the small things, you will discover that the larger questions looming in your life become clearer and clearer.”
~ The Rhythm of Life, Matthew Kelly
…Well, that just about covers it all. It’s been a month of many thoughts, and I hope you’ll find something in here worthwhile. I don’t want you to feel that I think I’m perfect at all of this…because I’m far from it! This blog has been just as much for reflection for myself as it has been to share it with you.
Tell someone today that you love them!
Z
