I took my father in law to the doctor for tests yesterday. As can often happen in the state of Florida I found myself in the waiting room with several 80 year plus patients. They can’t hear so they talk really loud and say the funniest things. It seems when you pass a certain age, the filter comes off and the words just tumble. If you’re not yet in those senior years and can still hear you may yourself in the middle of some crazy conversations!
One doctor visit with my father in law I found myself in a conversation with a couple that appeared to not hear what I or for that matter each other was saying. But they continued with disconnected sentences anyway. I felt like I was on a telephone with the voices constantly dropping out. The funny part is by the end of the conversation they completed each other’s thoughts. Even without great hearing aids they have lived together long enough to understand what was meant even if they didn’t get what was said.
The couple I overheard yesterday began with the wife stating to her husband “I don’t think you’re happy. Are you happy?” He said of course he was, she repeated her question gaining the same response. Simply not willing to let it go she continued, “I don’t think you are. Have you done the things in life you wanted to do?” By this time I wanted to sneak away, this was a really private conversation I didn’t feel I should be part of. Yet I had nowhere to go and the conversation went on with his his adament reply he was absolutely happy with his life. Then when he asked her the same question she on the otherhand gave no answer at all, dead silence from this lady. He asked one more time then completed the dialog stating, “if it takes you that long to answer, I guess you’re the one not happy.” then went back to reading his paper.
As I stared down at my kindle I thought, heavens I certainly wouldn’t want to wait until I was in my 80’s waiting for an appointment with the cardiologist to have this conversation! Made me contemplate how often we just live life not assessing if we’re doing the things we should be doing. Are we caring for the people we love. Are we not wasting time, not wasting life.
I’m not making a judgment on these two but I found this to be a wonderful reminder to myself, especially this weekend as we celebrate Easter. This holiday is about life, the life that is offered to us through an amazing sacrifice. It offers us the promise of a new beginning, the ability to leave the past behind. So if we accept or have accepted that gift what are we going to do with it?
I for one will take this weekend to not only contemplate the life given for me but the one I am living. Promising myself I will make the most of each and every day. Then I will come to the end of my season on this earth never having to ask or be asked that question, “have you done the things in life you wanted to do?” because the answer will be obvious. You bet I did!