Life and Death

Life is short. I’m sure you’ve heard that saying before. I’ve heard it more times than I can remember. Another day is never guaranteed. The problems we, as humans, face are that we don’t know what we’ve got until it’s gone. We don’t fully recognize how blessed we are to have someone in our life until they’re gone.
This September I will be twenty years old, it’s kind of hard to believe. Life has just started speeding by ever since I turned eighteen. Now, as I reflect on my past, I am starting to ponder life more deeply—especially its opposite death. I feel like, although I do appreciate the people and things in my life, I don’t really see how good I have it. I am always focusing on my perceived flaws and what I don’t have compared to others—I’m sure most of you can relate to that feeling in some way. Sadly, that’s the most pettiest and worthless feeling to have. Nothing good comes of it. What do we gain if we feel incomplete within? What good does it do to wish you were someone else? Why not cherish who you are, accept it, and love it?
This life is a test. It’s a challenge. It’s not supposed to be easy. We’re going to have turbulence and sometimes we’re going to have to crash land. But we can endure. We can survive. We can persevere. I would now like to share with you a quote that pretty much sums the whole meaning of life up:

WHAT IS LIFE?
Life is an Adventure ... Dare it
Life is a Beauty ... Praise it
Life is a Challenge ... Meet it
Life is a Duty ... Perform it
Life is a Love ... Enjoy it
Life is a Tragedy ... Face it
Life is a Struggle ... Fight it
Life is a Promise ... Fulfill it
Life is a Game ... Play it
Life is a Gift ... Accept it
Life is a Journey ... Complete it
Life is a Mystery ... Unfold it
Life is a Goal ... Achieve it
Life is an Opportunity ... Take it
Life is a Puzzle ... Solve it
Life is a Song ... Sing it
Life is a Sorrow ... Overcome it
Life is a Spirit ... Realize it

Now, let’s talk about death—the word everyone hates to hear. In my nineteen years on this earth I’ve had many loved ones pass away. My Grandpa, Wesley Long, passed away when I was only two years old, my uncle, Valene, passed away shortly after my Grandpa, my Grandpa, Ray, passed away when I was around thirteen, my Grandma, Donna, passed away shortly after my Grandpa and I was fourteen, and my Grandma, RaNee, passed away when I was eighteen.
Life with no grandparents is very different. If you still have a Grandma or Grandpa alive I advise you to keep in contact with them. Cherish them. They can teach you many great things—no matter how much you already know. I would now like to share one of my favorite poems that describes how I feel about my grandparents:

I think of you often
and make no outward show,
But what it means to lose you,
no one will ever know
You wished no one farewell,
not even said good-bye,
You were gone before I knew it,
and only God knows why.
You are not forgotten
nor will you ever be,
As long as life and memories last,
I will remember thee.
To some you may be forgotten,
to others a part of the past,
But to me who loved you dearly,
your memories will always last.
Nothing can be more beautiful
than the memories I have of you.
To me, you were someone special,
God must have thought so too!
If tears could build a staircase
and memories a lane,
I would walk all the way to Heaven,
and bring you back again.

Death is sad only for those left behind—a sweet release for the one experiencing it. Yes, sometimes death comes untimely. It’s a tragedy. But, quoting Bhagavad Gita, “The end of birth is death; the end of death is birth: this is ordained! And mournest thou, Chief of the stalwart arm! For what befalls which could not otherwise befall?” In other words, there is life after death. Death is not the end. It, my friends, is only the beginning. We will see the ones we lost along the way again. We will reunite. That, in and of itself, brings more peace than anything.
I would like to share another beautiful quote with you from White Elk, “When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced. Live your life so that when you die, the world cries and you rejoice.” Live for today because tomorrow may never come. Remember the ones you love who have passed on. Quoting Chief Dan George, “May the stars carry your sadness away, may the flowers fill your heart with beauty, may hope forever wipe away your tears, and, above all, may silence make you strong.”
In closing, I want to give my condolences and love to everyone that has lost someone they love. It is rough. No matter how much time goes by you will always miss them. But take great cheer and comfort in knowing that one day we all will reunite. As sour as dying can be—death is but a sweet release into another phase of life.
Life is Beautiful.