WE MUST PAUSE
Wednesday Dec. 25, 2013
When celebrating today – yes, please laugh, play and feast lots, but first, pause.
Take just a minute.
Think about those who are far away, who work in harms way, who have gone astray or who will not celebrate another Christmas day.
It’s their day too.
We laugh with joy as children, all ages, all stages of life celebrate – except for that final stage.
My friend is dieing.
So much dignity is his every painful day. I admire but cannot comprehend that strength of his when I hear it through his weakness.
For every pain, excruciating reality for those who bear so much. My little troubles barely register.
For every gain, there is someone who gained more – often by working much harder, smarter and longer than we have. For every smile, there is someone beaming more proudly because they’ve done more, seen more, given more. They are something different than me, better, taller, faster, fitter … something good, some thing we are not. For every sadness, there is someone more sad than we are – with good reason because we are so much better off than them. Luckier than then.
Life’s joy never comes wrapped under some tree – but best appreciated, lived fully every day we can. If you look, see. If you walk, jump. If you think, imagine. If you breathe, taste it.
We cry quietly for those we are losing, or have lost – realizing we have not yet paid up our cost for this life.
We’ll put if off to another day, not just till January but to some day far far away.
Nearly all of us use that pay later plan.
Mark Kolke
200,296
column written/ published from Calgary
morning walk:-9c / 16F, clear, sun coming up, houses are either complete darkness or fully-lit, children are laughing and tearing wrapping paper everywhere. Gusta seem disoriented – maybe because normally busy streets are absent any traffic at all ..
Comments Received:
I wish you a great holidays! Nice to have your column in my inbox and you in my connections , AG, Playa del Carmen, Mex. (sent from British Columbia)
Hello Mark, It has been intriguing and delightful to get to know you through your writings and emails. I appreciate your questioning and thoughtfulness and honesty. I wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Your Snail Pal, MH, San Francisco, CA
Mark, Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas and all the best of health and happiness for a fabulous 2014! Time to get together in the new year. Take care, CB, Calgary, AB
So many connections these days and even more ways to connect. As far as people are concerned, it seems we connect mentally and through the heart. If the need arises that we must sever a connection with another person; the heart connection breaks more easily than accomplishing the mental connection. There are people where my heart has quit caring but my mind has not forgotten. Business connections are easier to accomplish so maybe I should file all away under the "business" heading and make life easier. GW, Brady, Tx.
Good morning Mark. I just wanted to take a short moment to wish you a very Merry Christmas and all the best for a dynamic, prosperous and relationship-rich 2014! I hope the next while gives a chance to recharge and enjoy family and friends. I have enjoyed getting to know you better. All the best, MK, Calgary, AB
