What if...

This is a "What if.." blog but I hate "What if's" because you never REALLY know how you will respond, what you will do unless you are in the exact same situation some day.  The know it alls will say, "Of course I know what I would do based on my morals, opinions, blah, blah, blah."  You don't know because you aren't emotionally invested, because you don't know what it's like to make that spur of the moment decision, because you haven't had to experience the situation.

Here's the "What If"--What if you found out that you only have two years to live? This happened to a friend of mine from the radio world--Jim Berry.  I copied the following from his Facebook page:

"I’ve loved, loved, loved all the well wishes, prayers, and kind words as my family and I have gone through all the tests and news of breast cancer. I want you to know it takes something like this for you to re-evaluate your life and how you truly should live each day like it was your last. Have you? Maybe this will help you re-think. The bone biopsy of my spine revealed that my breast cancer as...

metastasized (spread). I now have stage 4 breast cancer, it is inoperable and incurable. My prognosis is 2 years. Do I think I will live longer than that, yes I do, no question. So consider me lucky, because I know my window, I know now that spending time with my girls and friends have an all new priority. DO NOT feel sorry for me, instead embrace your life and how you live it and let me be an inspiration in the future on how to live life to its fullest however much time we have left. God bless and Go Broncos!"

When I first read this, I thought, "How sad!"  Then I realized here is a man who will spread the word on getting checked.  Here is a man who knows how many days he has left.  Here is a man who can tie up the loose ends, who can tell the people that need to know that he loves them, he can savor every moment like it's his last one.  He can live and until death he is a Bronco fan!  Gotta love that!  So, why does it take a death sentence to remind us that we need to live? 

When someone close to us dies, we always say it, we always promise it but we never do it.  We promise ourselves to live every day like it was our  last but let's face it, that's impossible to do because short term and long term decisions don't always go together.  Here is my list of  things I would do, if I knew when I was going to die:

1.  I would call my Mom and Dad not only to tell them that I love them.  I would also tell them all the special moments when they did what Mom and Dad's do but they still meant a lot to me. 

2.  I would write letters to Blake because he needs to know that I will always be there for him even when I can't be there.  That he is the BEST thing that ever happened to me, that I love him with all of my heart, and that I'm proud of him always, no matter what.

3.  I would go on a trip with my husband--just the two of us.  We would laugh and drink and party like there was no tomorrow.  I would tan my entire body and face without worrying about wrinkles.  I would buy Chiclets from every child that came up to me.

4.  I would go on a trip with my sister because we get each other and we always have fun wherever we go.  I would hug and kiss her and thank her for taking the risks that I wouldn't.  I would tell her how much I admire her for taking care of everyone, for having a big heart and a soul that is kind.  I would also give her all of my clothes and jewelry only keeping a few things, freeing myself of most of my material possessions.

5.  I would hug and kiss all of my nieces and nephews and tell them how much I love them and why they are SO special to me.

6.  I would eat anything I want without worrying about gaining weight.

7.  I would sleep in because I like to sleep and I wouldn't worry about sleeping my  life away. 

8.  I would call all of my Aunts and Uncles to tell them thank you and I love you because they were there for me as much as my parents were.

9.  I would climb a mountain.

10.  I would give my favorite rocks to all of my favorite people.

11.  I would visit La Veta and the house that built me one last time.  I would go to my sisters , my Grandpas and my Grandmas' graves to tell them that I would see them soon and I miss them. 

12. I would walk on the beach one more time.

13.  I would go snorkeling with my son while we hold hands because that was truly one of the best experiences in my life.

14.  I would give my high school BFF all the notes we wrote each other in high school because I saved them all and because we are still teenage girls in our hearts. 

15.  I would cry myself to sleep every night because no one wants to leave their life.

16. I wouldn't feel guilty if I left someone out because I'm confident that you know I love you.

You know, it doesn't take knowing when I will die to do these things.  I do them now to some degree but I would do them more and I would savor each moment that much more.  Good luck Jim!   You have done so much to brighten peoples days and you are such a proud Father and Grandfather.   Thanks for the inspiration.