Born to Die

"We're going to die. Some people are scared of dying. 

Never be afraid to die. Because you're born to die," 

~Walter Breuning ( died at age 114, April 14,2011) ~

It's the hardest lesson to learn according to Breuning.

A lesson he learned from his grandfather: 

Accept death. 

accept.death.

accept.

death.

I guess at 114 years of age, you have earned the right to speak...

to be heard...

to be right...

I feel young today.

Ever so much younger than yesterday: at a measly 43 years of age.

Maybe by the time I reach 114  I will really learn something.
Can I learn the hardest lesson?

In the interview I read online, I never heard Walter once talk about success.

This was a man who bought some land early on for $10.00.

Sold it later for $25.

Rented the rest of his life.

I ask you....

Is this a success story?

I say....living to 114 years might be considered a success.

But what do I know..I am only 43 !

I have also faced some serious health issues over the years.

Ones that made me stand face to face with my mortality and come to realize the gift of a day.

Ones that I lost sleep over.

Wondering if, as my eyes closed....they would ever open again.

Heart palpitating.

Breath shortening.

Fear clenching.

Unknowing.

I have lost friends to cancer..

suicide...

accidents...

asthma...

O.D.'s....

heart attacks...

I have lost family members too.

I have friends and family who have had full term miscarriages...

Death is everywhere.

We draw our first breaths and don't know the number we will draw until our last.

I have an approaching appointment with a neurologist.

There is so much unknown..happening in my body.

I am uncertain...to say the least.

But my days have already been numbered by the One who knows.

I have an aunt who while having x-rays of her ribs has discovered a shadow in one of her lungs...

One of my friends gave birth at 22 weeks..her daughter fights and grows in neonatal care.

Another mom is in final stages of kidney cancer...

C'est la vie.

This is life.

And death.

"Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints."

~ Psalm 116:15 NIV ~

Precious?
By whose standards?
Not by Webster's definition.
I am approaching middle age at a speed that is somewhat and sometimes uncomfortable.

..but....in spite of the speed at which my days are passing...I love this age..

And I love that I can colour my hair.

I feel younger than the greys that are taking over.

(If that makes me shallow.....oh well, there are worse things!)
And that things that used to bother me...simply..don't...

Improbable as it seems..time feels like it is speeding up.

Minutes and seconds are more precious than ever.

People are more precious. Everything is more precious.

Life is precious.
Breathing...in and out...has become very significant...
Waking up...has become..very meaningful...wonderful...treasured!

It takes years to realize this.

Why is it that death feels like such a thief?

When life itself...Self awareness..self expression......

Me...here...now...

...is a gift ???

All I have...all my days..

Ordained...Written....Counted...

Nothing to fear.

NOTHING.

Just live.

Move.

Work.

Grow.

Love.

Fear not.

Fear.

Not.

You were born to die.

The grave has been breached.

Experienced.

Conquered.

 "Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?"
~ 1Corinthians 15:55 NIV ~

I was born to die...and knowing that...

Now I can truly live.

"For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain."
~ Phillipians 1:21 NIV ~

Fearing not.

Walter had it right.
God Bless him.