The Value of This Life

This morning I am writing my thoughts from an unfamiliar location. I'm in Pittsburgh, preparing to attend Ben's (my brother-in-law) funeral. My actual thoughts are from the evening gatha...

"Let me respectfully remind you,
Life and death are of supreme importance,
Time moves swiftly like an arrow,
and opportunity is lost,
Each of us should strive to awaken,
          Awaken!
Take heed. Do not squander your life."

True, true, true. As I move within my life, I am admonished to use and appreciate each moment as precious and in the end rare. How long will I or any of those that I know live. 70, 80, 90... a hundred years?

Yesterday while at Ben's Wake, my Uncle David, who is now very old said, "Is my memory accurate that you use to love skateboarding?" I said yes, I still do and and a matter of fact, I still love to do that with your niece. He laughed and said, "Every-time that I am watching TV and see one of those skateboard competitions, I always, always, always think of you and wonder how you are doing. I am getting old and my time is growing short. I know this. I just want you to hear from me that your father loved you very much and I deeply love you too. Remember that, despite the fact that we are family, we are also something that is even bigger than that." After that Uncle David hugged me and moved onward.

Gassho,

Jaye Morris, Curator
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