What Will You Do With This Day? Take Time To Appreciate All You Have

In the middle of my day my Mom dropped by. As I open the door, I have the phone in my ear as usual. It seems I'm always working.

This week my assistant is on vacation so I have been chained to my computer and I can truly appreciate all that she does. PLEASE get back soon!

Mom wanted me to see an old dusty album that she had rediscovered in the garage that I have been hinting for her to clean out.

So... we settled ourselves on the couch and I realized after I turned a few pages, it was an album of their trip to Phoenix to visit me in 1994. Out of all the great pictures, I carefully peeled this picture of Dad out of the plastic page. I need to scan this one I thought.

Just prior to the trip, Dad had told me on the phone that he had prostrate cancer and soon would be starting treatment.

I thought my world would fall apart as I processed this sad news.

I think I cried for three days. Nothing could happen to him...could it?? He was my rock.

They told me they were coming out to see me, so I planned a day trip to Sedona and Jerome, AZ.

What I didn't know then was that it would be our last trip together. He passed away on July 22, 1995.

As we stood on the mountain that day in Jerome, Dad contemplated what was ahead, but he had no idea that he would really leave us. What was he thinking as he looked out over the beautiful valley?

I remembered taking this picture and haven't seen it since then. I'd know that silhouette of Dad in his Stetson anywhere. Fifteen years have gone by so fast.

It reminded me today to stop and enjoy this moment, what I have now. It may be all there is.

What if I had to give it all up and let it go? Life changes in an instant. Take a moment to be still with just your thoughts.

Thanks Mom for slowing me down today. I need that sometimes. Work isn't everything.

I plan soon to return to the spot where I took the picture. What great memories we made with the little time we had.

Experience joy.