I thought about my own mortality this week, albeit only for a brief moment. You see, I’m not one to worry much about age. I certainly don’t act my age. My wife will tell you that I act more like a big kid most of the time. Since turning 50 a few months back, those crazy folks at AARP are constantly reminding me of my age. I do have the “official” card now that makes me a member of the over the hill gang or silver haired elders or however you choose to characterize us “older adults”.
My moment of confronting mortality happened in the heart doctor’s office. I’ve been visiting a heart doctor for the past several years. My dad’s side of the family has a history of heart disease. My father and his four brothers all had heart bypass surgery. I prefer not to take any chances, even though I look more like my mom and I’m hoping I received her genes for a healthier heart.
My particular heart doctor requires that you bring all your prescription medications during your office visit. Unfortunately, my required medications are many. I take various drugs for arthritis, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. I squeezed my six medications into a large ziplock plastic bag and headed for the heart doc.
I was delighted to see that my bag of medicines wasn’t the largest among the crowded waiting room. I saw one guy who had a Wal Mart bag filled with various prescription medications. I don’t envy him. But then again, he was probably 20 years or so my elder.
But my awakening or thoughtful moment didn’t involve the drugs. It involved two other people in that filled waiting room. One man was holding his baby grand daughter. I overheard him say she was four and a half months old. One chair over from them was a true elderly gentleman who appeared to be well into his 80′s.
I watched as the elderly man was looking at this little baby. You know how sometimes when you look into someone’s eyes, they seem to speak volumes. It happened when I glanced at the older man staring at the child.
I’m not a very good mind reader, but it was just one of those moments of clarity. Here was a man who had obviously lived a very long life, looking at a baby girl who was only just beginning hers. I thought to myself, what lessons we can learn from those who’ve experienced the vast majority of life’s journey.
A part of me sensed the elderly man himself may have been considering his mortality as he gazed upon that baby. He had seen and experienced so much. Much has changed during his long lifetime and much will undoubtedly change as that baby grows up.
Senior citizens are true treasures. If you’ve never had the chance to sit down with an elderly man or woman and just talk about their life experiences, you’re missing out. There is much all of us can learn from those who’ve traveled the path before us; those who’ve so often paved a way for us to follow.
I would encourage visiting a nursing home if you have some free time. Visiting seniors there is a true blessing. You not only are making someone’s day by spending some time with them, but I guarantee you you’ll leave the place with far more of a blessing than you impart.
I’ve had the new “Nickelback” CD playing in my truck this week. True, most of the songs certainly won’t qualify as sacred; far from it. In fact, several deal with subjects rather profane, but nonetheless a part of someone’s life. However, there is a song that speaks about living life to the fullest, day by day. It’s called “If Today Was Your Last Day”. A portion of the lyrics say:
My best friend gave me the best advice
He said each day’s a gift and not a given right
Leave no stone unturned, leave your fears behind
And try to take the path less traveled by
That first step you take is the longest stride
If today was your last day
And tomorrow was too late
Could you say goodbye to yesterday?
Would you live each moment like your last?
Leave old pictures in the past
Donate every dime you have?
If today was your last day
-Nickelback
Life doesn’t come with a rewind button. There really are no “do overs”. It’s kind of like when we open our mouths sometimes without thinking, and say something we may regret. Sure, we can apologize or say it another way. But once you’ve already said something, you can’t really take it back. You said it.
Do you have regrets about things you’ve done or decisions you’ve made?
Don’t be burdened by your yesterdays. Tomorrow is a brand new day. A visiting evangelist from Costa Rica reminded me of that lesson when he preached last Sunday. He said every day that God makes is a wonderful, marvelous day. God made that day; it is inherently a beautiful thing. I’m the one too often guilty of turning that into a “bad day” by my poor attitude or poor decision making.
Here’s hoping we all can do a better job of living each day to the fullest; sharing the love of Jesus with others and recognizing the unique beauty of creation. Don’t worry about when your time on this earth will come to an end. Make the most of whatever days you’re blessed with to enjoy and truly live.
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