Live Life

-

Stopped at a job site as I'm prone to do so I could heckle the guys who are out there working hard. I passed one such guy and we stopped to chat. We were just about finished with our conversation about the work when I said:

"There's writing on your arm."

He twisted it so I could read the words.

And I imagine that it's there so he remembers to prioritize his values but as soon as I read it my mind clicked to an obituary that I'd read at lunch on Wednesday.

A guy I'd known for at least ten years had the extreme misfortune of getting his photo in that section of the paper.

At 50 years old!

"What the hell happened to Dave?" I texted another co-worker.

"Heart attack. Saturday morning," he sent back.

I read the arm over and over once I snapped the photo.

And I thought of Dave, who'd made just a line in the news:

Dave enjoyed working outdoors and spending time with his children

And that would be it in many of our minds.

Dave is gone.

And I thought of the guy I'd seen on Thursday morning. He was waiting in the parking lot, standing with his golf clubs, for a ride. His buddies were picking him up to play a round.

Damn! I wanna' skip work and play.

I yelled out to the guy (a complete stranger).

"You lucky bastard! I wish I was playing!!"

"Go get your clubs," he said. "Let's go!"

But of course, I went off to work and he loaded his clubs into the back of his friend's car.

Live Life Like It's Your Last Day.

I don't suppose that we can possibly do that every single day or no one would ever go to work, would they?

I thought of Dave again.

I imagined his Saturday morning.

Up and out of bed.

A bunch of stuff to do.

"What're we doing for dinner?"

"Are the kids going anywhere today?"

"I need to change the oil in my car."

And then...

...boom...

...heart attack...

and it all stops.

Right there.

The clock runs out.

I read the two words over again.

Live life.

What else can you do?

I hope the guy in the parking lot was able to scratch out a few pars.

(And to my work buddy...thanks for letting me take a photo of your arm...read that...and live it...as much as you can!)

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

My Buddy, Dave

-
Way back in 1997, I started working with a steel erection company out of Syracuse. I was coming straight from a long stint with a steel erector here in Buffalo so I knew my stuff when it came to steel erection safety rules. On day one, I met with the safety director and he was just getting started as a safety guy, but man, he certainly cared about the guys he worked with. Dave was a good man from the start. He’d say things like: “You’re so full of beans.” Just a down to earth, hardworking guy who became a fast friend. We drove all around New York State setting up jobs. I always let Dave drive so that I could rest. One fine day, way up North of Syracuse, we passed a state trooper.  I glanced at the speedometer. “You’re screwed,” I said, and seconds later, the lights came on. Dave was beside himself.  The cop stopped by the window, grabbed the license and registration and headed back to his vehicle. “Here’s the thing,” I said. “You’re pissed, but you’re such a good guy that I be...
Read more

Mom & Ollie

-
Image
 Ollie Stadium is a mess. The heavy rains rendered the backyard a mud pit and even though we threw in the side yard, the Big O was looking for more, and we were both covered in mud. I had to take some steam out of him somehow so I suggested we go visit Grandma. Ollie hates the car, but he laid quietly as we made the trip. We even brought the football because there is plenty of room to play at Grandma’s. Mom opened the door and started laughing. I thought about the love she had for every single dog we ever had. Oliver was quick to give my Mom a kiss, and then he stood beside her. The love between Mom and Dogs is a mutual bond. Through the years, Mom would make breakfast for the dogs.  Fried eggs, toast, bacon… She would wrap Christmas gifts for them. “To Jeter, Love Santa,” she would write on the cards. They played with the big chicken that made a lot of noise. Mom tossed the football and Ollie brought it back to her. As the visit drew to a close I headed for the door.  “C...
Read more

Eyes on the Horizon

-
Image
My sister’s book is out there! Go get it!! It makes me so proud to see the book on Amazon, knowing that it’s very, very great! It’s been a long, long time since we were out in California, brainstorming my stories long before they were published. Carrie Lynn was writing, writing and writing some more through the years and I kept telling her… …”Go for it!” Well, she did!  To amazing results. Of course I was able to read the book as it was being put together, but I ordered a copy from Amazon yesterday and can’t wait to read it again. The shoe is on the other foot now as I have been sitting on a lot of my writing lately. I plan on getting it out there before the end of 2024, but for now: Carrie takes center stage! And it’s so great… …go get a copy!
Read more