Last week I joked with some friends about how odd it was that my “assigned” Bible readings for several days in a row dealt with the brevity of life, the reality of death, and the value of the wisdom in remembering those two things as we live.

Inwardly I hoped it wasn’t a sign (I’ve read too many books and seen too many movies), but I took it to heart and allowed it to remind me to choose how I live wisely. I’m not guaranteed tomorrow, and the Lord knows how many days I will have on this earth. I want to make the most of each day.

This week someone I have known for sixteen years was told that she must stop her cancer treatments and that hospice will be called. She’s not much older than me.

By the way, the soundtrack for this post is John Mayer’s “Say What You Need to Say” because it fits so well.

Sixteen years ago I “met” Heather through a (now former) friend’s blog – back when we used to have blog rolls with links to all our friends’ blogs. I remember chatting with her on AIM, and then becoming Facebook friends when that became a thing. She’s the best thing to come from that friendship.

We are as different as we could possibly be (I’m not sure we agree on anything!) and yet we’ve always been able to dialogue and discuss tough issues without being offended. There’s always been a mutual respect. She taught me so much about being a decent human being to those who disagree with you. I give her most of the credit for teaching me that not all liberals are crazy. 😉

I’ve long admired her drive and her decision to pursue her dream of doing stand-up comedy has been inspirational to me (not that I want to do that in particular, but it’s encouraged me in other ways).

And now she’s dying.

Friends, don’t take this life for granted. Don’t hold grudges. Don’t waste time being angry at others because you disagree. Please shift your perspective and remember that life is SO short. Ask yourself if that argument is really worth your time, worth the loss of a friendship. Spoiler alert: it’s not.

I don’t know what it feels like to be dying, and I pray that I don’t find out for a very long time. But, I also pray that this recognition of the value of each day never leaves me. We are not guaranteed another minute – let’s live and LOVE like it.

Please pray for Heather and her husband, Brad. ❤️