I’ve been having a rough go of life lately. I don’t really want to get into the details but let’s say it’s been one of the toughest stretches of my life I’ve had to date. Today was probably one of the worst of them and I wasn’t sure how I was going to deal with the day.
Then I went to work and hung out with some of the greatest friends I’ve ever had and they kept me smiling. I got tons e-mails from friends who I’ve known for a short time spent the day asking me if everything was okay. I asked for distractions to keep my mind off of things and I got hundreds of them (distractions). I even got presents! I’ve got some really great friends. I really do. I have this side of me that thinks that nobody cares about me unless they’re getting something in return (I know it’s not true but it’s build into my personality). But every once in a while a day comes along when you realize that…yeah. People do care about you. A lot. Thanks, guys. You know who you are.
So I left work and came home. It’s fall. It’s a beautiful day – like 70 degrees beautiful. So I went for a run. Because…why not?
The first race I ever won was a 5k. It was one of those days that I will never forget – I remember every moment of that race and subsequent days which meant a lot that were somehow tied to it. Read here for more (in fact, please do read it because this blog post probably doesn’t mean much without it): http://tripeej.com/2010/02/05/jesse-alswager-a-boy-i-didnt-know/
I happen to live across the street from where I won that very 5k and so my regular running grounds happen to be on the course I won on.
I’m running along with my ipod when at the VERY SAME SPOT that during that 5k, 4 years ago, the song I referenced came on my ipod shuffle. I stopped dead in my tracks, looked out over the scenery of this beautiful place that I live in and….I cried. I cried and I cried and I cried.
Song (Nickleback: If Today Was Your Last Day):
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?
I didn’t run nearly as fast as I did back when I won that 5k but I got as much out of that run that I did 4 years ago.
I don’t know what any of this means right now, but I’m sure some day it will mean something.
Life is hard. And weird. But it has a way of working itself out.
