The Gift That Does Not Repeat Itself

 My father-in-law died on Saturday.  It wasn't a shock, but then again it was a total shock.  He had gone into the hospital right after Thanksgiving to have a pacemaker put in.  Instead of a successful surgery, he was told his heart was failing.  There was no surgery, and he was put on hospice.  But this man was stubborn.  He was a fighter.  Even after a couple of close calls where we thought it might be the end, he would rally to the top again, and I would hear of him walking around the block the next day.  I thought he would hold on for a lot longer.  Saturday morning the call came that no one wants to make or receive.  He was gone.  He went quickly and to me, unexpectedly....well, you know.... 

It kind of boggled my mind to think that for 90 years this man, this being, has had a presence on this planet.  That's a long time.  So strange how all of a sudden that can change.  You just kind of think your loved ones are going to live forever, ya know?

Let me say again what I said a couple weeks ago: 

Time is a gift that does not repeat itself.

Christmas is a time when we tend to think about these things more than usual.  

This Christmas I invite you to gather those you love around you.  Be present with them.  Cherish the moments.  Glean every ounce of enjoyment.  Hopefully you have a million more moments to come.  Make them count.  

Little ones grow and change.  Older ones grow and change.  Take pictures.  Laugh.  Listen to them.  And be grateful for the gift of time.  You only get this Christmas once.