Twenty-four hours ago, I had several problems that were worrying me to the point of dysfunction. It was another bad day in another bad week on a whole string of them. Then I got a phone call from a friend. I knew it was her from the caller ID, but she didn't get a discernible word out for several minutes. She didn't have to say anything - I knew what she was calling to tell me.
My friend George, who I had talked to online nearly every day for the last ten years had passed away after a long battle with cancer. Now, none of those earlier problems meant anything at all. I can't even remember most of them today, and maybe that's the best way to honor George. The last time we talked, almost two weeks ago, George did not tell me anything about his failing condition. All he said for our last few minutes together were, "Remember that time we were taking pictures in Phoenix?" and "We sure had fun that night at Hooters!" and brought up other god times that we had. It was as if he was giving me a pep talk, telling me to remember those times, and only those times.
Well George, if you are listening, I am trying.
Cherokee proverb - When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced. Live your life so that when you die, the world cries and you rejoice.
