The road was lonely but he was eager to get home; wife and two boys waiting for him and less than a week until Christmas. Why is it that we pack so much in before the end of the year? Almost too much to do and stress is already high due to the holidays and expectations - of ourselves and those we love. He arrived home safely but an uneasy feeling settled in..., Actually, it was more like a chronic ache that developed into a sharp pain. His abdomen felt like it was on fire and nausea ensued - was he really nauseous or was the hurt that severe?

When the pain grew so intense that it was no longer tolerable, the decision was made to call the paramedics. They arrived in time to transport him to the hospital where a G-I team was waiting to diagnose the problem. Antibiotics seemed the course of action, until well after midnight it was decided to move forward with exploratory surgery and thank God they did. Ruptured colon. Seriously. A long-misdiagnosed gastro-intestinal issue finally reached a poisonous level, became life-threatening and every breath, death-defying.

My friend nearly died this past weekend. Emergency surgery to remove part of his colon became a necessity and the holidays just a passing occurrence. Consumed by thoughts of his children and wife, associates and clients, life had instantly changed. That quickly, within six hours. I sat with him for a couple hours yesterday - we talked about life, about his kids, about missing Christmas - he won't be going home for a while, and also shared a few laughs. As I made ready to depart, proving that his sense of humor was still intact, he said, "I guess I will have to end every sentence with a semi-colon now."

I left happy to see him alive but worry had settled in my heart. That instant awaits each of us. Unable to really prepare, how will you face it? We each run here or there, not thinking of the simplest thing - the next breath - how precious it is. And how easily it can be taken away. You often hear, "On their deathbed, no one ever wished they had spent more time at the office." But I bet they do say, "I wish I had done better or more right by my customers/clients/employees/employer/family/friends.

Every day you have the chance for a great gift, to look back or forward and see what life would be like without you and every day, the opportunity to realize that you really do have a wonderful life. Every time you hear a bell ring, consider it a knock. Opportunity. Seize it.

© by rayannethorn