As the birth of our baby girl nears, I can't help but think about life is continually changing and how fast time flies by.
I am amazed at how much preparation and money is necessary for having a child. I am very excited and happy to be sharing the whole process and experience with Airin. But am I old enough to really embrace the responsibility of being a dad? I think so.
I've spent a lot of time in the past year reflecting on the meaning of life and how I fit into it. Death and sickness plagued my family the last twelve months. We lost my Aunt Kathy, my Uncle Tom and my Grandfather Weldon. One was completely unexpected, and the other two were not.
On top of that, both my Father and Mother were admitted to the hospital, staying multiple nights. Those events shook me. I wondered if this was the end for them. And wondered if I had done the things necessary to make good memories and enjoy my time with them.
You see, I've never acknowledged it, but I always felt that I was invincible; that I would die eventually, but it wouldn't be until I was old, grey and wrinkly. This could also be said about the rest of my family. I've never thought about death much because it scares me.
But that is the "circle of life".
And lucky for me, I still have time. Time to enjoy being with my family. Time to make memories and get along with family members. Time to live each moment to the fullest.
I know that death with eventually come to everyone. No one has ever escaped the "jaws of death". This is a reality for everyone. But at least we all can make the most of the time we've been given.
So here's to life. It is a wonderfully challenging thing.
I'm grateful for the knowledge I have that life doesn't end here, nor will we be separated from our family for eternity. That is what I care about most and enjoy the most. And for that, I am very blessed.
