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I went from the Mission Trip to sickness is less than 60 seconds. Well, OK, it wasn't quite that fast, but it was awfully quick. It seemed like as soon as I returned home, I started hacking and coughing, my nose running and my throat hurting. Then I started wheezing when I coughed. For me, that means asthmatic bronchitis and it isn't fun. My biggest problem was that I didn't sleep well and I got run down. I thought my life was over! Almost!
During this time of illness, I did two funerals. Both were women in the congregation who were more advanced in years. One was 96 and the other was almost 90. Both were active and vibrant right up to the end. Both were diagnosed with advanced cancer and declined to have treatment. Both died after a very short "illness". While I know it might seem a strange thing to say, but I think both of them were blessed. Both lived their life to the fullest on their own terms. They both lived long, full lives right up to the end. Both had the potential to suffer a great deal of pain during a protracted illness. But both died rather quickly and peacefully. I would say that is a blessing.
And for those of us left behind, it is a reminder. The life we live is precious. Even when we are sick with the flu or some other illness, we need to remember that every day we have is a gift from God. When our heads hurt from congestion and our chests hurt from coughing, we should remember that our bodies are wonderful temples that have been designed and built by God. And when we are grumpy and don't feel like being social--even with our families--we need to remember that the relationships we have and the love that we share is a gift from God. We love because He first loved us! Don't take it for granted. Don't take any of it for granted! Life is too precious! Live every day to the fullest--until you are 90 or 96 and it is time to return to the Father. Until then, carpe diem--sieze the day!
During this time of illness, I did two funerals. Both were women in the congregation who were more advanced in years. One was 96 and the other was almost 90. Both were active and vibrant right up to the end. Both were diagnosed with advanced cancer and declined to have treatment. Both died after a very short "illness". While I know it might seem a strange thing to say, but I think both of them were blessed. Both lived their life to the fullest on their own terms. They both lived long, full lives right up to the end. Both had the potential to suffer a great deal of pain during a protracted illness. But both died rather quickly and peacefully. I would say that is a blessing.
And for those of us left behind, it is a reminder. The life we live is precious. Even when we are sick with the flu or some other illness, we need to remember that every day we have is a gift from God. When our heads hurt from congestion and our chests hurt from coughing, we should remember that our bodies are wonderful temples that have been designed and built by God. And when we are grumpy and don't feel like being social--even with our families--we need to remember that the relationships we have and the love that we share is a gift from God. We love because He first loved us! Don't take it for granted. Don't take any of it for granted! Life is too precious! Live every day to the fullest--until you are 90 or 96 and it is time to return to the Father. Until then, carpe diem--sieze the day!
