Life Is Short… Live Love

Over the Christmas break my wife Alicia’s family experienced great heartache. Her 18-year-old cousin, Caleb was driving to visit a friend and was in a collision that took his life instantly. He was coming over a hill and texting on his phone when the road veered to the right. He kept going straight and ended up in the wrong lane and ran head on into a truck pulling a horse trailer.

That Saturday we attended the funeral. Once the traditional Catholic funeral was over we returned to Mandi and Jonathan’s house, Caleb’s parents. Although the occasion really sucked, it was great seeing all of Alicia’s extended family. It was then that I began thinking to myself how important all of those people were. They were family.

A few weeks before this incident, I learned that Sequoyah high school would be retiring my brother Adam’s #13 jersey. For those who don’t know… In 2003 my 27 year old, older brother dropped dead suddenly at work. He had a massive heart attack that claimed his life instantly. The organizers of the ceremony requested some digital photos of Adam to use during the presentation. As a result, I got to look at old pictures of my brother and reminisce about his life. I still cannot believe that he is not with us. His life was taken in an instant.

Reminiscing on Adam’s life and dealing with Caleb’s death made me think a lot during the Christmas holidays. I couldn’t help but be re-confronted with the reality that life is short. We are not promised tomorrow. Today could be my last day. Which begs the question… How am I going to spend this time I have here? Do I spend it seeking after money, power and fame? Do I spend it focused on my own selfish interests? Or, will I spend my time I have left living love?

As we sat around playing poker one night with Alicia’s family, I was reminded that the love we share as a family is really what life is all about. So many other things that life offers will leave us empty handed at the end of the day, but love fills our hearts and souls to capacity. We have only one life to life… I hope to use mine to live love to my family, friends, and others. Life is short… Live Love!