Love. Time. Death…

As I sit on my sofa in a dark living room, listening to One Republics, Lets Hurt tonight. I ponder on Love, Time and Death. These are the main themes from the movie Collateral Beauty. I recall how much I enjoyed going to watch the movie a few months ago, with my mother Madolyn. It had been awhile since I had been to a movie. My time with her was uplifting and a reminder of how much I cherish her. She has been a glimpse of God’s love in my life. She has shown me over and over through time, what it is to be loved unconditionally. I have realized through her and how she loves me, what a beautiful gift, and what a glorious comfort it is to be loved unconditionally. I thank God for her…

Today, has also been a heart wrenching struggle with news that a dear and beautiful soul that has been an important part of my life doesn’t have much time left. She has fought cancer and led a courageous battle in mind, heart and spirit. Her faith has been a beautiful witness to her inner strength, she is a gift from God to all those who know her.

In this life, those rare and precious people come into our lives and without a second thought  you’ve made memories, laughed together, loved and lived! Oh, the great memories I will cherish. The last time I saw her was so grand. That evening we spent together was not planned and as the best memories usually unfold it all started on a whim. We had run into each other at a special evening weekday mass and after mass she and I decided to crash a dinner party. We weren’t aware of the dinner until after mass and it was all in fun. We were received with such a warm welcome filled with joy, delicious foods and hand crafted drinks.

The moment is forever burned in my memory, that evening was special. Even more so in hindsight as even then I knew it was a special moment in time. I was aware of each rich moment, minute by minute amongst those I love most in this life. The dinner was in a beautiful home, the setting was ornate and as I asked her to pass me the guacamole, she commented “its always the skinny one who eats the most.” We laughed and  laughed even more, when I answered the question of my relationship status to some guests that didn’t speak english by imitating  a wolf howling at the moon, because how else do you translate “Lone wolfing it” from english to Spanish.  Such beautiful laughter to my ears filled that home and even more laughter after my little demonstration, I am reminded of  these bittersweet moments of my dear friend as she fights for life.  My heart breaks for her family, she is a beautiful soul and her time is running out, and yet even though I know we all will face the moment in our lives when our time will run out, its excruciating  when its someone you love so dearly.

All I know, is Love endures, yes, Love is pain when you lose those you love. The pain for us left behind is a world that is left dimmer from the loss of such a beautiful and bright soul.  I must remind myself of the joy and the life that she will begin anew after she is released from this exile.  Again, we all Love, we have all known Love, and the pain from the loss of those we love is a reflection of the extent, the depth of  our love for those dearest to us. In this life there is never enough time with those we truly love.

Death is all something we get a little closer to with each passing day. And  yes through it all we make beautiful memories like an accidental collateral beauty, just like that beautiful, accidental night we crashed the dinner party. The joy my heart felt that night still lingers but there is a grief and a sting as I know my friend is on her way to her true home.

As I listen to this song, its a strong reminder to say whats in your heart in this life, all the things in your heart, that maybe you couldn’t say before to those you love. Today is all any of us is guaranteed, so go out into this world and Love with all your heart! 

Dare to love fearlessly and cherish the time given to you.  Hold precious the time given to those you love. Be sure to notice the collateral beauty in your life. Don’t focus on tomorrow with such an intensity that you forget about the rare moments that you hold and cherish in your heart. 

This day and everyday experience the collateral beauty all around you…