Fate Just Is

Last week my mom was having chest pains. She spent an overnight in the hospital for them to declare that the there was no evidence of a heart attack and they were sending her home. Gas? Maybe. They said they would ignore the stress test findings if she found herself back in the emergency room. I went to visit on Thursday afternoon because prior to them saying it was nothing terrible they were talking an invasive procedure. The procedure, it turns out, would have been overkill.

Personally, I'm a little concerned that they didn't find a problem. But - at the same time - I like to believe in doctors. I like to believe for the best in them.

It is scary every time my mom goes into the hospital for her heart. It's a reminder of how easily life can be taken from us. Our bodies are strong and resilient and, yet, they are amazingly frail at the same time. We could disappear within moments of feeling our most alive. We could be laughing and talking and joking and feeling completely present in the moment... and then during the next moment we could be silenced - for good. And what's even scarier, at least to me, is the loss of those I love dearly. I am sure the thought, if you REALLY think about it, is just as scary for everyone else. It's a strange knowledge we live with when we do decide to be actively engaged with other people. Someone is going to go first. Someone you love or someone they love and there's no way to tell which way it is going to happen. It is a matter of fate, in my opinion. And, fortunately, fate just is. There isn't anything we can do to alter it. At least, fate in this respect.

Love those you care about completely and totally. Never forget that caring for people (including yourself) is the most important thing we have to do on any given day, during any given hour.