Carpe Diem

So yesterday evening, I'm sitting around in the living room and watching some TV. More frequently that I should, I looked at my Blackberry and saw the red light flashing. I then look at my e-mail and see in the subject line the name of someone. I knew it was not good news. It was the name of a neighbor of mine who, in his mid 30's, had succumbed to cancer. He leaves behind a wonderful and young family who hardly had spent enough time together on this earth.

I was especially moved by the following words from one of the family members: "My heart is heavy, my heart broken, my world shattered, but again am overcome by the kindness and thoughtfulness of the outpouring of support. Tonight hug your spouses a little harder, hug your children a little more."

Nearly a year ago, I know that I wrote something about living for today. This story, yet again, reminds us that we are all on borrowed time. It just doesn't matter who you are, how old you are, how good you are, how bad you are, etc. etc. Life throws so many curve balls that you just don't know what the day will bring.

I remember many many years ago, some of the advice my wife and I received from a relative about married life: "Always give your spouse a kiss at night before bed, tell them that you love them, and never go to bed angry at them." I'd be lying if I said that I have been able to do that all the time. However, I can tell you that I will be more sensitive about doing this will all members of my family.

It's awesome to have such a great family. I appreciate them more each day, and especially am blessed to have had them for as long as I have. It's also been very warm to the heart to see the sense of community and how it comes together when people are at their most vulnerable.

Random Thoughts

1. Happy New Year!

2. Quality is always better than quantity.

3. I have a beautiful wife, both inside and out.

4. I have great children that are growing up too fast.

5. I need to spend more time learning guitar chords.

6. Novi's beef in Berwyn, IL is the best in Chicagoland.

7. The Northwest Suburbs of Chicago cannot figure out how to make a Pizza.

8. I need to appreciate the things that I have now, and not worry about replacing them with something better.

9. High definition television is addictive.

10. Music is the passageway to the soul.