Everyday is a Gift
The list of folks we care most about and have passed away will continue to grow. Not sure how anyone is going to avoid this reality of life. Death. This list never gets shorter. It damn sure gets your attention when the folks who are your age +/- a few years years are called up yonder.
“Nothing is more creative than death, since it is the whole secret of life. It means that the past must be abandoned, that the unknown cannot be avoided, that “I” cannot continue, and that nothing can be ultimately fixed. When a man knows this, he lives for the first time in his life. By holding his breath, he loses it. By letting go he finds it.”
— Alan Watts
If the life expectancy in USA is 77 year old, that's the top of the Bell Curve. Let's call that the "high noon" of life.
While it is sad when granparents and elderly family member come to the end of their life, if they go during the "sunsettin'" years ... well Fathertime is undefeated. The odds of death after "high noon" is most assuredly stacked in favor of the Heavens (or hell ... depending on your sinful/saint proclivities.)
It's even harder, much harder, when very close relatives or friends ... who are in the prime of their lives ... leave us during the "sunrise" phase of their life. Especially when children go before their parents. Don't even wanna think about it, it is too sad.
To honor and celebrate my friends and family who left before dinner time (up north they call it lunch time), here's just a bit of remembrance and happy memories:
Aunt Patsy - Probably the kindest person I have ever known. More amazing was her faith ... she left this earth peaceful, calm, and full of gratitude.
Brian H - remarkable friend and co-worker to many. He dedicated his work life at PCG to bring order and results to our clients.
Bud P - he loved the people that his family loved without pause.
David B - wonderful husband and father, he left this earth while doing the things he loved most. Avid runner and analytical thinker.
Earl C - probably the last true professional I've known. Dedicated his entire life to improving his craft and enjoy his passion for repairing and restoring old cars.
Lis S - one of the most capable humans I have had the honor of knowing. Remarkable mother and friend to many.
Matt B - calm under fire and a dispassionate thinker who was willing to take on assignments most would avoid. One of PCG's most selfless and collaborative leaders.
Mike D - one of the most appreciated and loved members of the PCG family. Always the center of collaboration and team spirit.
Nancy S - a steadfast lover, supporter, advisor, friend, wife to one of the finest humans I've had the privilege of calling partner.
Sherry R - one of my closest friends in the 8th grade and wife to one of the nicest guys at EHS.
"People say that what we're all seeking is a meaning for life. I don't think that's what we are really seeking. I think that what we're seeking is an experience of being alive, so that our life experiences on the purely physical plane will have resonances with our own innermost being and reality, so that we actually feel the rapture of being alive." - Joseph Campbell
In Happy Guide, I wrote about my perspective on "death" and some observations I had made at that time in my life. No insights and nothing to recommend. Almost 20 years later, all I got is the same question:
"What are you going to do with your mind, body, and soul for that flash of time that you are alive?" - Tony McLean Brown 2007
Here's today's vid-clip:
Tony McLean Brown
A Western NC hillbilly through and through, Tony McLean Brown was born in the small town of Enka-Candler outside of Asheville. His parents re-named him when he was 3 years old to Tony (a nickname provided by his grandfather) McLean (middle name of his Uncle Michael) while retaining his legal surname Brown.
Throughout his career, Tony McLean Brown worked as a farmer, computer programmer, and management consultant – in his adventurous years – author, song-writer, bass player, poet, pilot, mountaineer, certified scuba diver, and competitor in professional bull riding, NASCAR late model racing, Toughman boxing, Crossfit Open, Ironman, pole vaulting, marathon and ultra-marathon running, as well as parenting.
www.HappyGuidetoaShortLife.com has been leveraged to help charities and non-profits across the globe, USA, NC, and Lake Norman area. If you, your family, school, church, or charity has been supported, please take the time to share, like, subscribe, comment, and provide a 5 star review!
@tony-mclean-brown