Contemplating

A few days with my terminally ill father has me contemplating life again. That's not necessarily a bad thing but it does take a lot of energy. Here are some conclusions that I've come to (even though some are rather obvious and may seem trite)...
1) Life is WAY too short. 2) Make sure the last words others hear from you are positive, they may be the last words you speak. 3) Tell the ones you love that you love them...often! You may not get that chance again. 4) Treat your children with respect. They will be the ones making decisions for you when you're old. 5) Cherish the moments you have with the people you love. They are gone way to fast. 6) Record (either in writing or better still in A/V form) the stories you got tired of hearing. You'll treasure the words, and the way they were spoken when that loved one is gone. 7) Pay attention to the lessons you are taught, in word and deed. You'll need to draw on them in a crisis. 8) Share your struggles with others. Their prayers are priceless bits of hope in times of darkness. 9) Talk with God about what hurts. He understands in a unique way and will find a way to give you strength and comfort (even if you don't want to accept it). 10) NEVER pass up the opportunity to see your parents. They WILL NOT live forever.
I am blessed beyond comprehension because of the prayers, thoughts and well-wishes of my friends and Christian family. As my Daddy approaches his final days, I have found comfort in his wisdom, his character and his trust. I can only hope that as he breathes his last I can exhibit the same character of love and faith.