I learned this important lesson at a young age…

I first learned it when heart disease took my grandfather when I was 16 years old.

I was reminded of it again when cancer took my grandmother when I was 17 years old.

Again when my uncle died of a blood clot when I was 18 years old.  And yet again when my cousin’s baby died from a rare disorder when he was just a few months old that same year.

When I was 19 years old, I was once again reminded when my great-grandmother died.

It was called to my attention again when my mom died of a brain aneurysm as she was playing with my young children when I was 28 years old.

And again as I sat in a psychiatric hospital with my son when he was 16 years old because he wanted to die.

The list goes on…

Harsh reminders that tomorrow is not promised.  I know that we’ve all had these reminders…or most of us have had at least one.  And if not, you will.  It’s a hard part of life.  And although I carry these loses with me every day, I sometimes forget the bleak reality of it all.  I get busy and I forget.  Then a tragedy hits…whether personal or global and it hits me again.  Tomorrow is not promised…

So…

Greet each day with thankfulness…
for tomorrow is not promised.

Say hello and share a smile with your neighbor…
for tomorrow is not promised.

Call a friend, eat the cake, dance in the rain…
for tomorrow is not promised.

Marvel at God’s beautiful creation…
for tomorrow is not promised.

Stop and feel the warmth of the sun on your skin…
for tomorrow is not promised.

Say “I’m sorry”…
for tomorrow is not promised.

Disagree, but do so with civility…
for tomorrow is not promised.

Fight for your rights without tearing down others…
for tomorrow is not promised.

Love your enemies…
for tomorrow is not promised.

A diagnosis, a natural disaster, an accident, a finger on the trigger of a gun…
for tomorrow is not promised.

We are all ONE in our humanity…don’t miss the beauty in that every day…
for tomorrow is not promised.

Love one another with fierce determination…
for tomorrow is not promised.

And love matters…