Take Care

It seems that, over the last few months, there has been a barrage of bad news. Almost every time I talk to my mother of late, I get word of some health issue one of our relatives is having. . . gallbladder removal of one relative, tumor-that-could-be-cancer of another, confirmed terminal cancer of a 40-year old son of one of my mom's cousins. I suspect that this is due, in great part, to two factors: 1) my mother and her cohorts are getting older and 2) my mother, recently retired, spends way more time than she ever did catching up on all the family news.

Still, even given these factors, the bad news seems to be on the rise. The most recent news is that one of my cousins and his wife just gave birth to a baby with serious problems--so serious that they are not even sure if he has any significant brain activity, if he will be able to walk or talk, or if he will be able to breathe on his own. My dad just told me about a long-time neighbor, about the same age as my parents, whose radiation treatment for prostate cancer has left him with such serious problems that he can barely walk. And the bad news is not limited to the people in our lives; I've had one dear friend who lost a cat, and another whose cat has been seriously ill for weeks (but who, thankfully, appears to be on the mend).

On top of all of this, two weeks ago, Dan and I found out that our former minister at our church in St. Louis, Reverend Suzanne Meyer--who was not only our first minister but also the one who married us--died from colon cancer. She was 56. By the time word reached us that she was ill, she was already gone. We were completely shocked.

When these things happen, and when they happen so often, you reflect on so many things. . . on your own losses, on the fragility of life, on the people that you love. It sounds so trite, but it's so true, and it's been on my mind a lot lately.

And so, this is just a little reminder--to myself and to you--to take good care. Get enough sleep. Eat your vegetables. Pay attention. Breathe. If you are the praying kind, say your prayers. Look for beauty. Share your love. Savor the little, seemingly insignificant moments of your days that add up to make your life. Because it matters. It all matters. And you matter to me.