Life and Death

“Each human life is like a new symphony heard for the first time. It can't be understood or fully appreciated until after the final cadence.”

Life is a funny thing.

A paradox.

A beautiful oddity.

A mystery.

As humans, we are the freak show of the universe. Even the animals we share this planet with, as wonderous as they are, pale in comparison to the enigma that is human life. We study all sorts of animals trying to discover why they do what they do. I can pretty much guarantee that whatever the reason is, it's a whole lot simplier than the reasons we do things.

As humans, we can do some amazing things. We can build, expand, grow, adapt, change. We can heal sickness, give people new hearts, new limbs. We can create beautiful art and beautiful music and beautiful children. We can bring joy, comfort, and humor. We can support and encourage.

We can love.

And we can bounce back from terrible tragedy...which is a very good characteristic to have considering our fragile hold on life.

Humans are amazing creatures, nearly from the moment of our conception. We take our time with life. We take our time being born, to walk, to talk, to learn, to grow, to mature, to age, and sometimes to die. However, there are times when our amazing lives are cut short unexpectedly. And just like that, in a blink of an eye, our hold on life is broken.

So don't take a moment for granted. I know that sounds so cliche but we all need reminding. Never assume you have another day, another minute, to do the things you want to do, say the things you want to say, love the people you want to love, live the life you want to live. Don't waste a minute on being too angry over things that don't really matter. Worry less about what other people are saying or doing or thinking. Laugh openly, smell the roses, enjoy the wind and the sun. Forgive quickly, love freely, and remind the people around you that you care about them...every day...every second.

In Memory:

Shawna Ralph
1990-2008