As 2013
comes to an end, I find myself thinking of my friends Peter and David, both of
whom died far too young during this past year. Their families are spending these
holidays with a hole in their hearts, one that will not be closed anytime soon.
I
cannot bring Peter or David back, nor can I heal their families’ wounds. But I
can enter 2014 with a desire to live each moment fully; it’s the least I can do
to honor these dear men. As I near age 43, it’s time, I think, to focus less on
what’s next and more on what’s now. As I enter my mid-40s, it’s time to think
less about checking off the to-do list and more about checking off the bucket
list. Life, ultimately, is less about getting the errands done than it is about
doing the things that fulfill us. It’s more about discovering what we could do than it is about tallying up
what we should do.
So here’s
to a new year of resolutions, best intentions and fresh starts. Here’s also to
those who leave us with legacies and memories. They may not be with us in the
flesh anymore, but they offer us an inspiration that we can carry with us every
day, no matter what the year.
