Live Like You're Dying

 My parents own a condo in Hawaii, and for the last few years, their beloved friend Patty has been doing the upkeep on the place in between renters. Suddenly this summer, my mom received an email from Patty casually stating that she had been diagnosed with cancer and was given 6 weeks to 6 months to live! She had decided to go back home to be with her family during her last days.

News like this is always completely heartbreaking to hear. No one wants to hear about someone who is dying, and suddenly. But here's the reality- WE ALL DIE. Yep, we do! So what about taking a different approach when it comes to death? For example, read this letter below that Patty sent my mother today...

Aloha Robyn!

Boy, I miss living where I here Aloha daily! 

 Things are going well.  The cancer is progressing - has moved to other locations - but I have NO PAIN.  I feel great - the only real issues are my lack of breath (if I walk 50 feet I'm winded - pretty bad for someone as active and high energy as me!).  I'm praying that I continue to feel well until the end - or at least close to the end - and leave Max without the agony of watching me suffer for an extended period.  Besides, I probably would not be very nice if I was in pain and I would like to go out gracefully!

I'm having a wonderful time witnessing to others and have been so blessed by so many sharing with me the impact I have had in their lives - it has been wonderful beyond description.  

I've planned my funeral - made my own slide show - video of me with my testimony - wrote my obit - created my memorial card and made all my funeral arrangements.  The only thing left out is the date of death and the date of the service (haven't got that info yet !)

My funeral is going to ROCK!

I think of you often (truly) and am so grateful for the time God allowed us to share.

Blessings,

Patty

Wow. This woman has planned her own funeral! Created videos, made arrangements... and is joking about the time and date! Now I am not saying that death isn't difficult, heartbreaking, or something to mourn. I have experienced lots of death in my life, and it doesn't make me smile! But after going to Bradley's funeral a few months back, my husband and I began looking at life differently. Living differently. What would it be like to live like you were dying? What would it be like to live for your funeral? What would people say about you at your funeral? About who you are and how you lived?

I want to live with purpose. I want people to remember me as loving, understanding, and a good listener. I want people to see that I care about investing in others. I want them to see my passion for my family. I want them to see Jesus. 

If I truly lived like I was dying, I wouldn't waste time or energy on materialistic things. I wouldn't be bent out of shape when plans change. I wouldn't worry about how my body looks. I wouldn't worry about the house I live in or the car I drive. I would worry about the unseen things- the things that will outlast me. I would take every change as a new experience. I would remember good times playing with my child and living life in my home.

What would it be like to live for your funeral? Just think about it a little bit. And then go do it.

“The great use of life is to spend it for something that will outlast it.”- William James