Every Day Precious, Every Moment Counts

By: JANA GREENE

My GOD, life is precious.

I was going to write about the subject of today’s writing prompt, which is “Describe your favorite childhood book.” How very light, fluffy, and FUN! Maybe I’ll write about that tomorrow. I’m not really feeling it today.

Yesterday, my husband and I went for a Sunday convertible drive, the weather was so lovely. We drove all the way down to Fort Fisher like we usually do because (I realize this is kind of nauseating) that’s where we had our very first kiss. We stop and kiss in that exact spot, and notice three guys with motorcycles watching the kiteboarders in the inlet.

“What a beautiful day for a bike ride!” we said aloud at one point. We admired the view for a bit. It really was a beautiful day.

We started back up Fort Fisher, stopping to take a few pictures (to use on my blog) and we heard sirens. An ambulance raced past, heading to the end of the long road. Then a firetruck. I am nosy, so I wondered aloud, should we go see what’s happening? Something told me “no.” Something told me (correctly) that I couldn’t handle whatever “this” was. We decided to head home as a state police car barreled past us. He was flying. The emergency presence was alarming…

CB and Kure police. State police. A fire truck. And, an ambulance. We both had a sick feeling about it for some weird reason, and it was a feeling we couldn’t shake.

Later in the afternoon, when we got home, we found out it was a motorcycle accident that happened minutes after we left Fort Fisher. Minutes.

Today I read the news that the motorcyclist did not survive the accident. I can not stop thinking about him today.

There had only been three guys on motorcycles and a tourist couple taking pictures, (and Bob and I) down that long stretch of road. That’s all. I could remember the faces, which seems odd – that my mind – which is not so swell at remembering anything else – could conjure their faces.

Which one, I wondered. Which gentleman was it? The one riding a trike or one of the two men who were riding together. Was it you, Guy in the royal blue shirt? Was it the dude on the trike? Or was it the short one with long hair?

I may never know. But here’s what I DO know… Life is effing short.

None of those men thought a ride to Fort Fisher would be the last thing he did on this earth. How absurd that someone in their prime of life would go for a bike ride and never come home? I’m crying thinking about it.

So I pray for the family, because what else are we supposed to do with these jarring realizations that this life is but one leg of an eternal journey. I’m so sorry for them. Their worlds make absolutely no sense today.

We have the time we have allotted and not a minute more, so what are we doing with the it? Learn to be present in the moment. Let the small stuff go. Enjoy the living daylights out of every minute. Which is difficult because in addition to being the most amazing ever, life is also the hardest, most bewildering thing ever.

In honor of the gentleman who lost his life minutes after we saw his face, I’m going to love on my family harder than necessary today. I’m going to be more aware in the moments with friends, which are so precious. Please take good care of yourself and each other today. God really does love you, and so do I.