Off The Fence - Life is short, remember to live each day like it’s your last

Susan Thompson
Express staff

Life is short.

The only certainties are death and taxes. Live every day as if it’s your last.

We all know the sayings, but how many of us actually do live as if every day is our last?

The problem is it’s pretty tough to do in real life, exactly because the daily “to do” list tends to get in the way. At some point we all need to get some work done, or do the dishes, or file our taxes. Or just eat something!

It’s just not that easy to focus on anything really meaningful, fulfilling or significant when you’re cleaning out your toilet, unless you attain some sort of zen state. Unfortunately, it’s eluded me so far.

The thing is, life really IS short.

That simple fact was driven home for me when my little sister passed away suddenly a few years ago.

Miranda was 20. She had a pulmonary embolism. She was gone in an instant.

It shook me up, of course. It devastated my whole family.

Still, what was worst of all for me was that I didn’t get to say good-bye. I simply didn’t know it was time to say it.

I took some small comfort that my last message to her, in an email, ended with the words “I love you.” But there was still more I should have said. So much more.

It’s on my mind again now because as I write this, my Grandfather is in hospital in Edmonton.

A few years ago I might have decided it was too hard to rearrange my life to drive down and see him.

Now, I’m not so quick to dismiss the idea.

I’m reminded again as I watch obituaries pass over our desks every week at the paper. This week is no different.

My Grandpa is elderly, and has health problems, so it’s easy to understand he may be close to passing away.

But he outlived my little sister, and that shows you really just never know.

I am grateful, however, that my sister’s death taught me that we can all go at any time.

Now that a few years have passed, I know for sure it has changed me, for the better. I take more risks. I pursue more dreams.

Maybe I don’t remember to live every minute of every day to the fullest, but I think I do try harder to spend my life actually living, and maybe I have a few better memories as a result.

I also cherish my time with my friends and family more. I take more care to tell people I love them, or to be there for them.

I’ll never have a chance to say what I wanted to say to my sister, not in this life, anyway.

But I can say it to the people I love who are still with me, and avoid making the same mistake twice.

I hope you take a moment to do the same today.

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