A Life Remembered

Only when it is lost, do we realize how fragile and important life really is. We also tend to forget the little guys: our pets - our companions. They keep us company when we're alone, they cheer us up when we're sad, and best of all, they love us unconditionally. Pets are more than just the little furry things that follow us around, they are friends, and members of our families. We would do well to remember that.

It's been a long time since I've had to deal with mortality and its limits. I'd forgotten how important it is to say "I love you" on a daily basis. I'd forgotten to be making the best of each day. And what bothers me the most is that I promised myself these things would not happen. That it would not take another tragedy to make me honour my promises. We are a generation of apathetic citizens. Reminders do not come in the form of little yellow Post-It notes, but rather as a swift kick to the balls.

We must always cherish the moments we have. I have this book called, "Tuesdays with Morrie." Some of you may have read it, those that have not should. It chronicles the last years of Morrie Schwartz, a professor who is dying of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, and who spends these final days with an old student of his; imparting his wisdom and the insights generally brought about by death. When asked how one should be "prepared to die", Morrie has this to say...

"Do what the Buddhists do. Every day, have a little bird on your shoulder that asks, 'Is today the day? Am I ready? Am I doing all I need to do? Am I being the person I want to be?' "

And he proceeds to add this last bit of counsel, "Once you learn how to die, you learn how to live." It seems so logical, so sensical that it blows right past us. We tend to forget that if we were to consider our short time on this planet, we might do things differently. If you were going to die tomorrow, would you spend today worrying about the past? If you were a University student, would you waste time wondering about the futility of exams and papers? No, you wouldn't. You'd be out spending time with your family, you'd be living that last precious drop of life.

How sad it is that we must be reminded of such a simple fact: that we could be gone tomorrow. Our pets know this already. They know that they have a limited time with us and they make the best of it by pawing for our attention. They want us to love them as they love us. Samus has made me realize this. I regret all the times I hushed him while I busied myself with pointless and often idiotic tasks. I regret all the times I didn't hug him, or didn't return the affection that he lavished on me. And most of all, I regret that fateful decision to give him away. I have asked for forgiveness of him, and I pray one day he'll grant it to me.

Until that time comes, I will remember him and what he taught me. I will remember the promises. It humbles me to know that we have so much to learn from our little friends. But now it is time to say goodbye to my beloved Samus. Thank you for showing me what my eyes could not, thank you for allowing me a chance to make things right, and most of all, thank you for loving me. Goodbye Samus, I will miss you, I love you, and you'll be with me always.