Death can come at any minute, in any way. We do not know what is in store tomorrow, or, whether there is a tomorrow, or even a tonight! But still, we have the golden present. Now we are alive and kicking. What should we do now? Love all, serve all.
-Sri Swami Satchidananda

CARPE DIEM! Yes, live each day of life to the fullest.  In Bible study last night, we were saying that worship should not only be done on Sundays.  Why not make each day devoted to God and His works?  Find something that you are passionate about, and you can transform it into a profession.  Besides providing me with a great testimony, my car accident has helped me to realize my passion, and turn it into my work.  Serving God by serving others is the motto of ministry at Messiah United Methodist Church, where I attend.  My passion is to help others, and a way that I can do this is using my Therapeutic Recreation degree in a nursing home type setting.  I have found that there is a great advantage to living each day to the fullest, and not put off anything that you want to do until tomorrow. I can help others accomplish this also, by providing meaningful activities in which the residents in a facility can participate.  Who knows if there will even be a tomorrow?  CARPE DIEM and live each day as it is your last; do not take advantage.

Healthy discontent is the prelude to progress.

Mahatma Gandhi

I can say now that there is a pause in my life, a discontent.  My purpose does not feel fulfilled.  The friends that came to live with me while transitioning from another country back to the U.S. , have moved to their apartment in Alexandria.  Erin returned their key to me yesterday. During the month that Erin and Elena were staying with us, I would play with Elena, crawling through her tunnel with her,acting goofy to make her laugh, orgainizing blocks and her favorite pastime: reading books and looking out the window.  We went to the Cherry Blossom Festival in DC, and had authentic Japanese food.

Although Elena is 20 months old, we would go on walks with my dog through the neighborhood, and Elena would cry if it was a sunny day and I was taking Chazz out.  There were days that we would play at the park across the street with other kids, go out in my backyard; Elena loves taking my white, decorative rocks inside the house with her. The government plans to release Erin’s possessions from wherever they have stored the furniture soon, and I have promised to weed through them with her, and getting rid of the objects that are not needed.

Erin and Elena with Bri and Kessler

I have been looking forward for their stay for so long, now that yesterday is gone and they have returned their key, I don’t feel as if there is much for me to do.  Sure, I’m helping my neighbor, Briann out and watching her son tonight while she is at a meeting, though they are leaving tomorrow.  They are staying with Bri’s parents while her husband is attending military training in Texas.  I am also writing, but that doesn’t pay the bills/barely gets acknowledged by anyone.  Writing is more of a form of therapy for me and my Mom calls it, ‘more of a hobby,’ although I hope it helps others in a similar situation, or wanting to know more, too.

Through my car accident I have found that I have great people skills; I love interacting and helping people with any difficulties, and my choice of profession reflects that.  For years, I have worked as an Activities Assistant, with older adults that need my help.  When someone else needs your help and attention specifically, the feeling of being needed is very gratifying.  Just as listening to family members’ grieve, I can also be someone with whom to relate.  I have done this previously, and I will again.  I have decided that I will apply for a job, or volunteer until I find a position where my skills can be utilized.  I can provide the witness of my life to others, and let the family members know that I understand living in an inpatient facility and am working to make the lives of those loved ones more enjoyable.  When the residents get upset about living in a home, not being able to drive anymore, depending on other people to do something as simple as going to the bathroom or  the lose of independence, I can definitely relate.  For this reason, it is important to remember to be in the present, enjoying all the abilities that you possess right now, because all can be lost in the blink of an eye.

Horace, a Roman lyric poet, is quoted as saying, mindfulness of our own mortality is key in making us realize the importance of the moment. “Remember that you are mortal, so seize the day.”

A sundial inscribed with Carpe Diem, reminding us that every moment is precious and not to be taken advantage