What's in a Lifetime?
Sean’s good friend, Kevin, passed away six months ago Friday after a three-year battle with leukemia. Even though we knew the end was near (he was told this fall that the treatments were no longer working), it was still incredibly painful loss for both of us, especially Sean, when we heard the news of his death. Because Kevin knew that the end was near, he was able to complete tasks from his “bucket list,” tell his loved ones how much they meant to him, and, ultimately, say his final goodbyes. As I thought about what that must have been like for him – to know that the end was in sight – I thought about what a “lifetime” really is.
I always associated a lifetime with a significant number of years (80, 85, or hey, even 90 – right, Betty White?), but Kevin’s death made me think differently.
Toward the end, he told his mom that he’d accomplished all of his goals, and even though it seems nearly impossible to complete all of one’s goals in such a short time, Kevin managed to do it. He managed to fit his lifetime in only 23 years.
If Kevin taught me anything, it was this: we’re each given only one chance to live our lifetime, so we should make it worth all of the trouble, pain, and heartache that it’s bound to include. When my end is near, I hope that I am able to rest knowing that I fit a lifetime into my life. I wish the same for you.
Rest in peace, Kevin.
I always associated a lifetime with a significant number of years (80, 85, or hey, even 90 – right, Betty White?), but Kevin’s death made me think differently.
Toward the end, he told his mom that he’d accomplished all of his goals, and even though it seems nearly impossible to complete all of one’s goals in such a short time, Kevin managed to do it. He managed to fit his lifetime in only 23 years.
If Kevin taught me anything, it was this: we’re each given only one chance to live our lifetime, so we should make it worth all of the trouble, pain, and heartache that it’s bound to include. When my end is near, I hope that I am able to rest knowing that I fit a lifetime into my life. I wish the same for you.
Rest in peace, Kevin.
I'm sorry for your loss. We are also grieving the recent loss of a loved one, and no matter who it is, it always makes you appreciate the things you have in life while you are still here to enjoy them. Your friend is in our thoughts.
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