Life

We all have responsibilities in life and sometimes they demand a response that is difficult for us. Gail just got news that her brother is in serious condition back home so she's terminated her vacation time early to go home to be with him. Time with our loved ones is precious and, in times of sudden illness, we often don't get those last few hours on earth with them so haste is necessary.

It's really amazing to think how we take time for granted. We make choices to do other things rather than spend time with the ones we love because we think they'll always be there. We engage in petty spats that mar the relationships, too. In our transient society where travel far and beyond is possible, families become separated quite easily. It's not like our ancient ancestors who spent their entire lives enmeshed in the lives of their families who all lived together or close by.

The distance we've put between ourselves and our loved ones hasn't broken the familial bond, though. Families still come together, no matter the distance needed to travel, during times of trouble or happiness...marriage,birth, illness or death. Family is of utmost importance to most of us and during such times we seem to feel a strong need to be together. This is probably a primal response to knowing that there is strength in numbers.

My generation is the oldest now and we realize that our days are numbered. We carry the knowledge that we are the ones who will probably fall first and we also worry that we'll become a burden to our families. We only hope that when our time comes our families will see that we are kept comfortable and that they'll be there to see us out...not because of social mores but because it's what they feel in their hearts is the thing they want to do.

Illness and death are all a part of life. We humans were never meant to live solitary lives because we need the reassurance of being surrounded by loved ones in order to endure what life hands us. Gail is rushing home to offer her presence and love to her brother because it is what is in her heart. She knows it won't change the course of events but she also knows she will be where she is meant to be. She might not realize it now but this will give her comfort in the long run.

Life is a mystery but I've discovered over my many years that you do best when you follow your instincts. You may not understand the where or why but you'll know you've made the right decisions.