We’re All on Our Way Out: so Use The Good Dishes

A fascinating thing about humans is that we all agree that our final destination is death. No one will contradict this. We just can’t grasp the truth that it may happen to us today. That thought is rather incomprehensible, if not plain ludicrous, for most of us.

I am glad that I get it, even though I don’t really get it. It reminds me of last words and what I want mine to be.

Not last words as in a proclamation of wisdom. No. No. Rather I’m speaking about my last words to whoever gets to hear them: the coffee barista, the janitor at my grandkids school, the Shaw repair person who came back to fix a problem, the cashier or the cleaning people or the bank manager or my son or Mother or friend…if I am lucky, someone will hear my last words, and  I just want them to be kind.

This understanding helps me, at least some of the time, to be aware that it isn’t always best to let the first thing that comes to mind, leave my lips.

And, of course, not for a moment do I think I am on my way out anytime soon. It just doesn’t compute, the magnitude being too great. Even my amazing Mother, who will be 100 next April, and previously thought that 90 seemed long enough, is now looking forward to her big celebration next year.

The joy of living is knowing how precious and tenuous it really is to be part of the full human experience. And what an amazing gift we have been given to fully participate in a plethora of capacities. Let’s do what we can do while we are able.

Note:1) My friend Helga suggests that we rush s.l.o.w.l.y This can be quite challenging, I am finding. In the context of uncertainty, however, it makes sense.

 Note:2) Thanks for spending part of summertime showing up here. I am always grateful to see you. Find wonderful moments and enjoy them. Warm greetings, Trudy

7 replies
  1. Nancy Jo Bleier
    Nancy Jo Bleier says:

    Thank you, Trudy for this post….love the title.
    I try to wear a pair of earrings and/or necklace I haven’t worn in a long time
    every day. A way for me to decide if the pieces need to be passed on now.

    Reply
  2. Janice
    Janice says:

    Such a shame that this realization doesn’t seem to arrive until our later years but still, I do remember more often now to use the good dishes, wear the special sweater, open the expensive wine and so on. thanks for the reminder, love Jan

    Reply
    • T Boyle
      T Boyle says:

      Thanks Janice:
      In a way it’s probably good that we aren’t so conscious our whole life long. A little reprieve. But now I am grateful for the awareness. As always, trudy

      Reply
  3. Judy Bernstein
    Judy Bernstein says:

    Yes! Yes! Yes! Downsizing helped me to get to this point. I only saved what I used regularly and / or loved. My goal is to use use or enjoy in some way all the things I own or…..pass them on.

    Reply
  4. gottfried
    gottfried says:

    Oh Trudy, this ” inconvenient truth” is such an important reminder of not just “sing while you voice left,” but, as you so eloquently state: the ripple effects of our being, how will we be remembered? these last words spoken? will they be kind? today I will re-start! thanks so much for that reminder!
    G

    Reply

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