I don't like regrets!
September 24, 2005
The bright morning Autumn sun casts its yellow and gold glow over this little coastal town. As I stand high atop the hill that houses the small harbor town, I can see the blue waters of the Pacific Ocean stretch toward the horizon with smoky looking rocks rising out of the haze that hovers over the waters in places.
Houses painted in clean, bright earth tones sparkle in the morning sun, nestled among the green fir trees as far as the eye can see. It is a beautiful sight that brings a sense of security and peace.
It is on this day - in this place of beauty that I have come to say good-bye to my dearest friend. God touched him and he slept - now he has slipped free of the bonds of this life - which for him, had become full of pain and suffering. Oh, how I will miss him!
Gregg loved the ocean and he loved this little town full of families and good folk. It almost feels disloyal to be so at peace and so filled with awe and beauty on a day of such sorrow.
How do you say good-bye? I don't want to do so. I want our friendship to endure so that we can enjoy the beauty of this life and this place for years to come. I feel so robbed. Sickness and death took my friend away and now I am left with a heart full of fond memories and many regrets. Regrets that I didn't make the trip to see Gregg more often - that so many years saw so few visits and phone calls. Had I known it would end so soon, I would have moved heaven and earth to bridge the miles. But it is too late now. He is gone and I am by far the poorer for it - though I certainly don't begrudge him release from all the pain and suffering he lived with.
So now, how do I live my life? The same as before? How many times will death steal another loved one and bring up too many regrets? What does one do? Life rushes by with such ferocity, tearing up the months and years with so little to really show for all the fury.
I think life is best lived at a simpler pace, looking more to the now and less to the future. Taking more time for small gatherings and pleasures - less in scale but richer in memories. The grand takes so much effort but seems to give so little back for all the trouble. Yet we keep doing them anyway!
Maybe a dedication to spending a lot more time with family and friends more often - doing little things - impromptu BBQs, coffees, visiting w/out lots of fuss. Bascially, making the regular visit with relatives and old friends a much higher priority than the Tyranny of the Urgent would like. Surely, the things that are MOST important will always SEEM like they can be put off a little while longer. But that is a deception. If it is truly important it is worth doing NOW. Maybe that's how to live a life w/out accumulating so many regrets.
The bright morning Autumn sun casts its yellow and gold glow over this little coastal town. As I stand high atop the hill that houses the small harbor town, I can see the blue waters of the Pacific Ocean stretch toward the horizon with smoky looking rocks rising out of the haze that hovers over the waters in places.
Houses painted in clean, bright earth tones sparkle in the morning sun, nestled among the green fir trees as far as the eye can see. It is a beautiful sight that brings a sense of security and peace.
It is on this day - in this place of beauty that I have come to say good-bye to my dearest friend. God touched him and he slept - now he has slipped free of the bonds of this life - which for him, had become full of pain and suffering. Oh, how I will miss him!
Gregg loved the ocean and he loved this little town full of families and good folk. It almost feels disloyal to be so at peace and so filled with awe and beauty on a day of such sorrow.
How do you say good-bye? I don't want to do so. I want our friendship to endure so that we can enjoy the beauty of this life and this place for years to come. I feel so robbed. Sickness and death took my friend away and now I am left with a heart full of fond memories and many regrets. Regrets that I didn't make the trip to see Gregg more often - that so many years saw so few visits and phone calls. Had I known it would end so soon, I would have moved heaven and earth to bridge the miles. But it is too late now. He is gone and I am by far the poorer for it - though I certainly don't begrudge him release from all the pain and suffering he lived with.
So now, how do I live my life? The same as before? How many times will death steal another loved one and bring up too many regrets? What does one do? Life rushes by with such ferocity, tearing up the months and years with so little to really show for all the fury.
I think life is best lived at a simpler pace, looking more to the now and less to the future. Taking more time for small gatherings and pleasures - less in scale but richer in memories. The grand takes so much effort but seems to give so little back for all the trouble. Yet we keep doing them anyway!
Maybe a dedication to spending a lot more time with family and friends more often - doing little things - impromptu BBQs, coffees, visiting w/out lots of fuss. Bascially, making the regular visit with relatives and old friends a much higher priority than the Tyranny of the Urgent would like. Surely, the things that are MOST important will always SEEM like they can be put off a little while longer. But that is a deception. If it is truly important it is worth doing NOW. Maybe that's how to live a life w/out accumulating so many regrets.
posted by Eric | 8:49 PM
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