The Moment

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Our seven-year-old Shih-Tzu, Princess, always loved car trips. Just the mention of the word car would get her jumping with excitement. That changed a while back when we were driving her to the veterinarian for knee surgery. Princess sat in her normal spot in the back seat, but her uncontrollable shaking proved to us she sensed she was not heading to a fun day in the park.  In a moment, going up a flight of stairs, her knee gave out and the peaceful life she knew suddenly became uncertain. 

I was telling someone the other day I never feared life, but lately I am learning it is quite possible that the finish line of our dreams does not exist. Today, this moment, is really all we are guaranteed. I do not want to find myself one day shaking if I come crashing down climbing my staircase of life. I want to know I will be able to get back up, but to be perfectly honest I really do not know if I can ever fully prepare myself.  Can anyone prepare themselves?

Over the past few years, I’ve seen many life-changing moments.  Close family members watched their house be demolished because it couldn’t be saved from Superstorm Sandy. I attended a wake for a man who passed away suddenly at the age of 49. I’ve heard challenging test diagnoses from good friends. I’ve watched towns be devastated by in seconds by tornadoes.

I am now beginning to realize that the things we worry about are so senseless. What we argue about and pick on takes up so much irreplaceable time.  When you have lost what all of these people have, arguments aren’t important any more. Why wait for a crisis to realize this? I am learning to appreciate all I have each and every day.  I am making the calls, writing the notes.  I try the recipes, read the books, take the walks. I do not want to wait until I am sick or have had the storm strike and say I wish I had taken better care of my life or had been better to others. There really is no time to waste.

Princess is still limping but has come a long way in her healing.  She remains nervous when we mention the word car but we are noticing the tail wag a little with excitement.  I think the fear will slowly diminish, but I’m not sure she will ever forget. 

The people I mentioned – the ones who lived through fear and tragedy – must feel the same way.  They are limping along and slowly each week get a bit stronger. I hope they get support from their family, friends and community, whether it’s hugs, offers of help or just listening. We are all one moment away from being in their shoes. 

Donna Ryan is the editor of the blog 5oplusstickingtogether. To read more of Donna's work, click here.