Today

Like sands in the hourglass...

I, like most of the nation, have been watching the scenes unfold in Boston. Watched with fascination, horror, and pride at the carnage and heroism that all blended together within a few moments of each other. Half-listened to news and social media updates about suspects, no suspects, in custody, not in custody, etc. Prayed for the innocent as their cities were locked down in the manhunt. And as all of this unfolded, a friend has come to town to get married and many many more are gathering for another's funeral. We celebrate, we mourn, we fight our battles and watch the battles unfold in our communities. We post on social media websites about friendship and love and hopefully we hug our children a little tighter and say "I love you" more often.

I am struck by the wonder of Life today. I get to see my daughter this weekend, briefly. She will be headed to the funeral of a family member. I will also get to spend the weekend (a busy and fun one) with my son. I will not be attending the funerals or the wedding. But so many of my friends will do one or the other or both. And it will be foremost in all our minds how precious and how precarious life truly is. And we will be reminded how dark and sinister it can be as well. As humans, we are flawed. We have free will. That free will allows us to make decisions that can be influenced by others and can be detrimental to those around us. It also allows us to love. Love can be paradise and it can be hell.

I wonder if there were some type of 'tally' that could be generated with each human being that showed us the number of lives we touch as we go along, starting the day we are born, if that wouldn't raise awareness both within ourselves and how we treat others. I, too, am heartbroken for the families left behind. The children, the parents, the friends. I pray for peace for the witnesses for they may become very tortured souls. And I send a very heartfelt THANK YOU to all who are First Responders.

Each of us are like those sands in the hourglass, each our own, yet intertwined. One large community and many smaller lives within. We may touch others, either in passing or with true friendship or love, but will you know whom you have touched?  Say something nice to someone EVERY day. If you see a fireman, paramedic, nurse, or policeman on the street, say thank you. Give smiles freely. You've heard these words before, practice them....don't take any day for granted.