September 13, 2009

Blur ⁵

by Wendy • 2009: Reflection & Inspiration, featured, Headline

The days are quickly becoming blurry.  They go by so fast that it’s sometimes hard to believe a week went by and now we are nearing the middle of September.  The blur is my life.  The blur means my life is full because when we all collapse on the couch at the end of the day, we have a few moments of peace to think about all that is going on with our lives. We feel content and happy.

I had to go to the hospital the other night because every once in a while, my body likes to dump lots of adrenaline into my system at random times which then sends my cardiovascular system into haywire.  Normally, this is called ‘fight or flight’ and you get the dumping of adrenaline when you suddenly feel as if you or someone else is about to be harmed.  Well, apparently it’s common for women to get this condition because of raising children and having a heightened state of awareness for the safety of their children.  It’s also a common condition for emergency workers to have too because of the types of calls we receive, being woken up in the middle of the night to awful tones or bells (which scare the snot out of you) , and always in the ‘fight or flight’ mode on shift but especially during emergency calls.  Luckily for me, I have met both of those requirements.

Basically, my body thinks that it’s about to be harmed and my heart rate and blood pressure will soar very high.  Most of the times it will drop back down within a matter of minutes and it’s over.  But there have been three times where I wasn’t able to break the high pulse or high blood pressure, so it’s off to the doctor I go.  I ended up being admitted to the hospital overnight for observation (much to my chagrin and with much kicking and fighting).  My pulse rate finally returned to normal at 1am.  12 hours of being stuck on 103-180 beats a minute was no fun.  But as I was laying in the hospital bed, I reflected on my life and how I have been blessed with so many opportunities.  I don’t want to pass anything up because I am so afraid of dying without living my fullest potential.  I don’t want to miss the small moments or the big moments.  I don’t want to miss the everyday moments or the once in a lifetime moments.  Life is so short and I want to live it to it’s fullest.

This song just really sums up how I feel about life, especially after watching so many people die at young ages and after burying too many firefighters who’s lives were cut short.  Life is precious.  The part that I bolded is my favorite.

If Today Was Your Last Day lyrics
Songwriters: Kroeger, Chad;

My best friend gave me the best advice
He said each day’s a gift and not a given right
Leave no stone unturned, leave your fears behind
And try to take the path less traveled by
That first step you take is the longest stride

If today was your last day and tomorrow was too late
Could you say goodbye to yesterday?
Would you live each moment like your last
Leave old pictures in the past?
Donate every dime you had, if today was your last day?
What if, what if, if today was your last day?

Against the grain should be a way of life
What’s worth the price is always worth the fight
Every second counts ’cause there’s no second try
So live like you’re never living twice
Don’t take the free ride in your own life

If today was your last day and tomorrow was too late
Could you say goodbye to yesterday?
Would you live each moment like your last?
Leave old pictures in the past?
Donate every dime you had?

And would you call those friends you never see?
Reminisce old memories?
Would you forgive your enemies?
And would you find that one you’re dreaming of?
Swear up and down to God above
That you’d finally fall in love if today was your last day?

If today was your last day
Would you make your mark by mending a broken heart?
You know it’s never too late to shoot for the stars
Regardless of who you are

So do whatever it takes
‘Cause you can’t rewind a moment in this life
Let nothing stand in your way
‘Cause the hands of time are never on your side

If today was your last day and tomorrow was too late
Could you say goodbye to yesterday?
Would you live each moment like your last?
Leave old pictures in the past?
Donate every dime you had?

And would you call those friends you never see?
Reminisce old memories?
Would you forgive your enemies?
And would you find that one you’re dreaming of
Swear up and down to God above
That you’d finally fall in love if today was your last day?

Anyway, here are some photos from us enjoying our smaller, everyday moments with Catherine and her favorite toys.

Gotta love a child who thinks her puppy dog and baby doll need to eat cat food.  This moment too will be gone in a blur.