After having just read something relatively upsetting, my last words to you all before embarking on another weekend furlough are the following:
Life is short kids....we do not know the hour, day, or minute of our demise or any other. Like the song says:
'In these days, when darkness falls early...
and people rush home...to the ones they love...
...you better take this fool's advice..and take care of your own...
...'cuz one day they're here, the next day they're gone...'
I try and take as many opportunities as I can to let those I love know that they matter to me, and that I'm ever grateful they are who they are to me. I suppose that's why I was able to get through the losses I've endured without too much grief. That isn't to say I'm not sensitive to loss, nor does it mean I don't miss those I lost...I miss them all terribly, and would give ANYTHING to have them all back...but there's a lot to be said for knowing there are no misgivings...no discord...no bones to bury or axes to grind with those who matter to you.
Yea, though the holidays are coming, I say DON'T WAIT until Thanksgiving or Christmas to go up to someone you love and hug them....DON'T WAIT until someone's birthday to call them just to chat and catch up... DON'T WAIT to say the things that need to be said....especially if what you want to say is 'I love you...' not only will you feel better for having done it...but when that fateful hour, day or minute comes, you'll also feel better for knowing that any/all doubts, misgivings, or anything else hanging in the balance were QUELLED due to the actions you took while they were still here to receive it.
It matters....believe me.
To those I know here and know well (or, have gotten to know), you're all a part of the fabric that is my life, even if it does seem momentary in scope. I celebrate your successes, and feel the pains of your failures/foils. Like MG often greets upon entry or leaving...."..to my lovely metal family...." when you think about it, that's really what a place like this is. It isn't just the music or the band that unites us (though, it did help, didn't it?), but it's also the knowledge that it's people relating to people....REAL people...REAL time....even with the buffer of a computer screen, we put out there what we want, and hope it's of some quality that generates laughter, kindness, sympathy/empathy, and the general camaraderie we'd probably enjoy were we all physically in the same room; much like a large bar during happy hour. Some of you have seen me use that 'happy hour' analogy, especially in the chat room...but the NB is no different in that respect. I relish coming here and engaging the way I do with those I've befriended...and I'm not the least bit against involving more.
That is my embrace...now....pay it forward.... |
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