
For the past few months I have had a handful of dreams where I am in airplanes that crash or experience severe turbulence. I also had one two nights ago about a collapsing bridge.


For a while now it seems people are constantly dying. It’s like you have to be aware of what you’re saying about everyone and when you see someone you have to be thoughtful because you never know if it will be the last time you’ll see them or talk about them.
For me, it started with the death of my friend’s step dad. He had been fighting cancer for a couple of years and I didn’t see him after he started treatment. I had made plans a couple of times to visit, but they never worked out. Before I knew it my friend told me he passed, and I was looking at the box, which held what remained of his body.
A couple months before his passing, Natasha Richardson died. Her death had a profound effect on me. I cried for weeks about this woman I never met. I only recall adoring her in The Parent Trap and getting excited when I saw her in Maid in Manhattan because I wasn't expecting her appearance in that movie. I got so excited because, as I recall, I wanted her to be my mother as a young girl after watching The Parent Trap. She wasn't a woman I thought about often, nor an actress I would think to say was my favorite when asked who my favorite actress was. However, I was always fond of her and never had any negative thoughts about her. Her death, must have been so sad to me because it was so sudden. It's always the worst when it's unexpected. Also, because she had a light about her that I was sad to see go.
Last month, my grandpa, sister, mom and I went to Chicago to see all the relatives for my great Aunt and Uncle’s 50th Anniversary. It was either, mom or grandpa, or both that said, “This could be the last time the whole family is together.” That made me so sad. So I consciously went on this short weekend trip with this in mind. So I tried to be as social and loving as possible because the truth is I love that part of my family dearly and would hate to lose any of them. Thankfully, they are all still here. One day I will lose them, and I know that, but I don’t want it to be anytime soon.
I didn’t realize how much they all really meant to me until I realized, “this could be the last time I see any of them.”
Just before our trip, Michael Jackson passed which was an absolutely heartbreaking shock to me, as well as to the rest of the world. It really had me on the edge about my family and friends. He made me realize life goes by so quickly and mine could end, as well as any one of the people that are important to me, at any time, without warning. What a scary thing, but it is death that has made me realize how important life is. And how important it is to tell people you love them when you can and hug them when you want to hug them because if you don’t, you might regret it.
That’s one thing I can say about the Chicago trip. I don’t regret anything. I did everything I wanted to do and said everything I wanted to say. Although I rarely see them or talk to them, so I don't get the chance to tell them, hopefully they all know that I love and appreciate them so much. Little do they know they are some of the biggest influences on me. They have inspired me in many ways.
Death has taught me to appreciate life while I have it. It has taught me that dwelling on the past and holding grudges is useless because it won't matter when you're gone. It has taught me that each moment we have is a small piece of a lifetime of gifts because right now is a moment that not everyone that has lived or will live gets to have. It has taught me that I might only get 25 years on Earth and to enjoy what I have now while also always working for the future.
In a song about this by Nickelback, it is written
"Each day is a gift and not a given right."
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 had?
And would you call those friends you never see?
Reminisce old memories?
Would you forgive your enemies?
And would you find that one you're dreaming of?
Swear up and down to God above
That you'd finally fall in love if today was your last day?
If Today Was Your Last Day by Nickelback


