I don't know exactly what a prayer is.
I do know how to pay attention, how to fall down
into the grass, how to kneel down in the grass,
how to be idle and blessed, how to stroll through the fields,
which is what I have been doing all day.
Tell me, what else should I have done?
Doesn't everything die at last, and too soon?
Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?
(Mary Oliver,
1935 - )
These words came to me this morning, and could not be more apropos. I was notified Tuesday night of a third death in 9 days. One person I knew and dearly loved; one person I did not personally know, but his music spoke for me so often; and one person is the husband of someone near and dear to me. They were 93 years old, 41 years old, and 77 years old. One was taken by cancer, very quickly; one by his own hand; and one choked in front of his wife as they were eating dinner.
This clearly reminds me that life is precious, and it’s too damn short, and we must do our best and make every day count. Tell those we love and appreciate, that we love and appreciate them, every chance we get. We never know when it will be our last opportunity. Let the little piddly things go. Be kind. Be present. Don’t take anyone’s love and support for granted.
Life is a gift…. what kind of present will we be to each other? Tell me, what WILL you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?
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