No worries — the stomach virus that I’ve battled over the last few days may have made me feel like death, but I’m planning on living a long, healthy life. After all, I work for a company that is all about proving that it’s not about age; it’s about attitude.
But I feel like world forces are colliding to force me to take a look at the legacy I’ll be leaving — no matter when it’s my time to go.
World Force #1:
Have you seen the story about the solider-turned-police-officer who, in his final moments, made a small gesture that may have changed the future for a small boy and an entire community?
“An NBA star.”
Henwood smiled and told the boy he’d have to work hard, then left the restaurant. Moments later, he was gunned down by an apparently suicidal man with a shotgun.
His final moments — paying it forward.
World Force #2:
I listen to a lot of music — all kinds, from rock to musicals and lately, a lot of country. The lyrics to The Band Perry’s If I Die Young have been haunting me.
If I die young, bury me in satin
Lay me down on a, bed of roses
Sink me in the river, at dawn
Send me away with the words of a love song
The song is beautiful — both uptempo and soothing at the same time. And the message is that life can be cut short at any time, so it’s important to let people know how you feel about them…every single day.
World Force #3:
You know I’ve been watching a lot of How I Met Your Mother, right? It’s usually funny and snarky, but recently, I caught an episode that was a bit darker.
Marshall had lost his father, and everyone in the family was sharing the final words that he’d shared — ranging from “I love you” to “I’m proud of you.” Marshall didn’t have that — he knew his father both loved and was proud of him, but his own final memories were a bit more mundane.
At one point in the episode, Marshall asks his friends to think back to what their own final words might be, and asks them to be less careless.
image source: Buddy TV
I know it’s just a sitcom, but that statement made me think hard about the way I sign off … with my husband as I’m rushing out the door; on the phone with a friend when I’m running late to an event. Even on Twitter and Facebook — do my status updates represent the final words that I want to leave, God forbid?
There’s no real takeaway to this post other than to urge you, like I’m urging myself, to think about taking just a few more moments of the day to make sure that whenever possible…your goodbyes are truly worth remembering.
About Katy
i have so been on the same wavelength recently–i think because of all the brave young men we lost in Afghanistan last week, and having a friend on that helicopter. then last night, just as i was thinking of these SEALs yet again, i watched the video of the police officer…..got me back to what you are talking about here all over again. what a legacy all of these guys have left–so sad yet inspirational at the same time. all these men sacrificed themselves to protect us and in doing so have reminded me that every minute, every gesture, counts!
hillary recently posted..16 August 11: In Memory Of
I was heartsick to hear about the helicopter ambush…and so sad to hear that you knew someone on board. All of the stories of people dying young are hard to hear, but when it’s people who put their lives on the line to protect our freedoms — there are no words.
Such a good reminder to tell close how much they mean. I’ll be passing on the story about the police officer for some time.
Jessica @ Sushi and Sit-Ups recently posted..Bubbalou’s
This is all SOOOO true. Dan lost his dad last year and I constantly think about the last time I saw him and what we talked about. I never thought it would be goodbye.
{I already thought we paralleled Marshall and Lily — and then these damn episodes aired and believe me, they were TOUGH to watch but SO well done. It just hit really close to home.}
Michelle @ Crazy*Running*Legs recently posted..Confession Wednesday: Somnambulism
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDYzuwG-gOE&feature=player_detailpage#t=527s
“I don’t give a fuck if they remember me at all.” – Frank Zappa
SUCH an important lesson. Thank you for sharing this message with everyone
Alexa @ Simple Eats recently posted..My Other Favorite Blogs
This is a great, thought-provoking post Katy…I’d like to say that I always try to be conscious of how I’m leaving a conversation or an interaction with someone, but honestly we all hurry through a lot of the time! I’m going to make an effort to be more conscious from now on…thanks for the reminder.
Melissa @ Journey to Marvelous recently posted..Melissa and the Giant Peach
I’m so glad that the post spoke to you — if even a few of us make an effort to be more careful, I’ll be happy!
I love the end of that episode when Marshall’s dad talks about the butt dialling
Thanks for the reminder- I think I’ll start paying more attention.
Kristen (inspiredbydooce) recently posted..be incredible- sugoi moxie shorts
I make sure I always tell my husband how much I love him every morning and evening, and any time I speak to him throughout the day. I make sure we never step away from each other angry. Whenever he’s driving home from work I always tell him to be careful. Just in case…
Tara @ Sweat like a Pig recently posted..The right fuel
My husband started closing at a great bar that happens to be in a not-so-great part of town. There have been two shootings nearby, and one deadly car accident. You’d better believe I squeeze him tight before he leaves for work.
Great post. That episode of HIMYM really had me thinking after I saw it too. It’s amazing how the little things are so striking…
Liz @ Something To Chew On recently posted..What I’m Lovin’ Wednesday
This is a great topic! I always make sure to tell my family I love them when I leave the house or right before I hang up the phone. I remember waiting outside my house for my friend to pick me up once and I remembered that I didn’t say bye to my parents, so I stuck my head inside and told them I loved them and where I was going- and my friend and I ended up in a car accident less than 10 minutes later! We were fine, but ever since then, I always think about what could have happened, and how I almost didn’t say bye to my parents. I know it sounds morbid, but I want to make sure that I remember to tell them I love them in case something happens.
Whenever I say goodbye to my man, I make sure it’s a good one. I hug him, kiss him, tell him that I love him and “take care”. Every time!
Saying goodbye to my friends also takes quite a while after a girl’s night out. I have to hug and say goodbye to every single person, and so do they.
I might be a morbid person, but I often wonder “could that be the last time I see him/her?”, so I try to make sure that every goodbye counts.
Sue @ Sue In Training recently posted..Recipe: Chunky Monkey Ice Cream Remake
Great post! I think about this a lot. I was living in NYC on 9/11. When I said goodbye to my roommate that morning I never thought we were saying goodbye forever. I didn’t think when I told my uncle “I’ve got a meeting, I’ll call you back later. Bye.” that that would be the last would be the last thing I ever said to him. And all my Cantor Fitzgerald friends who I left after the party on saturday night without saying goodbye, I’ll always keep thinking about what I should have said but now will never get the chance. I try to remember to tell my family how much they mean to me everyday.
Awful, awful, awful…thank you for sharing — and for reminding us ALL how important it is to choose our words wisely. I’m so sorry for your loss.
WOW! Crazy great post.
Agree with you on the “If I Die Young” song. It was on the radio a lot when I was home and I love it!
maria @ Chasing the Now recently posted..How to love a salad
Such an amazing post. I too have been thinking about this over the past few days – a tornado struck my community on Sunday, killing one man and injuring about 40. Many people have lost their homes… these things happen every day around the world but when it hits so close to home, it really makes you stop and think. Thank you for reminding us all to do so.
Kennedy recently posted..Gratitude
YES — I think that so many of us stop and stare when we see coverage of hurricanes, tornadoes and other disasters and think, “thank goodness that wasn’t me.” But then we move on…thanks for the reminder that real people experience real tragedy every day.
This post hits home to me. One of my best friends in high school lost her brother (age 18) when she was 10. He died in a car accident after leaving the house in a fight with their dad. My friend always told me that from then on, whenever any of the family members left the house, whether they were in a fight or not, they told each other “I love you.” Last year her father passed away after a sudden stroke and the last words they spoke to each other were “I love you.” This whole story is always so heartbreaking to me but ever since I first heard it I tell those I love how I feel. Life is too short.
That is so tragic — and yet, somehow, it makes me smile…to know that your friend will never, ever have to wonder if she was loved and if she expressed that love. Thank you SO much for sharing.