On a day we saw the sun rise on one Florida coast and set on the other, we celebrated the birthday of one family member and learned of the death of a very good man.
The symbolism struck me and, though they weren’t the most spectacular sunrises and sunsets I’ve seen, they were the most profound.
I watched that golden sun bow low over Long Boat Key, like a stage performer gracefully acknowledging the audience at a Saturday evening show, and I thought about all I had learned again that day. To quote the timeless philosopher Ferris Bueller, “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”
Here’s my advice, for whatever it’s worth:
Love deeply
Be kind
Eat the chocolate cake
Laugh freely
Stand tall
Take a risk
Buy the ticket
Hug
Forgive
Eat off the good china
Face the sun
Face the music
Face your mistakes and get on with it
Savor the seasonal fruit
Pop the cork
Ride the waves
Sing along
Say what you’re thinking
Write a note
Stand up for what you know is right
Sweat
Do the push ups. Argh. Just do them
Share the wisdom
Share the joke
Share the Graeter’s ice cream you hid in the back of the freezer
Call your mom
Call your kid
Call a bluff
Call your elderly friend and let her make you laugh for a while
Make a new recipe
Make a new friend
Make a wish
Make a point
Make a donation
Make time
Make love
Make matzo ball soup
Make peace
Just do it.
The sunsets are beautiful, but they’re also relentless.
We have today, though, and it’s all ours.
Go get ’em!
