Lessons learned.....

Today is a rainy Sunday afternoon. It is one of those days that you just don't want to do anything. I started the day giving orders to the kids about chores that need to be done. Their rooms just HAVE to get cleaned today. Then it hit me....why? How many people on their death bed wish that they had cleaned more? So, I called my daughter down from her room and yelled for her to grab a pillow and blanket. We hunkered down to watch the sappy, chick-flick, "The Notebook" I need to do these things more. Things that don't make sense. Fun things just because. I have always wished that I had been one of those young adults that had gone backpacking across Europe after high school. It has always been a regret of mine. I decided that it doesn't have to be a regret. I will do it. I have had too many patients that planned to travel when they retired, only to be struck down with cancer in their 50's or 60's. I am not going to wait to do the things I love. I am not going to die with regrets. I am not going to miss the chance to spend rainy days with my daughter.

I will probably have to save for my trip across Europe. I will also have to wait for the kids to get a little older, but I will do it. I have a plan. I am learning from each of my patients. Sometimes I am learning what NOT to do. We can't get these days, hours, minutes back. We hear these things so often but I live it every day. I see the broken dreams. I don't want that to be me. I want to LIVE! I want to travel, cook, play, read, love, run, climb, laugh. I want to live this life as fully as I can.

So, the room eventually was cleaned. It got done. The most important thing about this day thought is the time that we spent together. Who cares about how clean the house is. Who will remember that?