Live Like You Were Dying

Today was a day to think about my own mortality, and that is easy to do on a day you don't feel so well.  I felt that today I would just like to give up on this wretched body and join my Heavenly Maker. Of course, not so easy to do with still needing to raise my 9 year old son and I am not sure he is ready for Momma to leave either. But alas, it really is not up to me anyway. God knows the day and time and I will have to persevere once again. Keep following my blog today as I promise, it will end on a positive note, not a sad one.

Anyway, I got word today that we lost one of our own on April 14. Okay, so I don't personally know William Dean Westerlund nor his family, but our family is connected with the Muscular Dystrophy family because my son has Muscular Dystrophy. We became and are a part of so many other families who have a son, grandson or relative affected by this fatal disease. Please read more about him in this wonderful article. He was only 31 years of age:

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/obituaries/bs-md-ob-william-westerlund-20100421,0,2938921.story

The reason I mention all of this is in part in due to the fact that I ran across a post from my friend Karen C. (thank you once again) on Facebook of a song that I have not heard in quite some time. It is called "Live Like You Were Dying" by Tim McGraw. Here are the lyrics for you to read before I continue:

Live Like You Were Dying (lyrics and music by Tim McGraw)

He said: "I was in my early forties,
"With a lot of life before me,
"An' a moment came that stopped me on a dime.
"I spent most of the next days,
"Looking at the x-rays,
"An' talking 'bout the options an' talkin’ ‘bout sweet time."
I asked him when it sank in,
That this might really be the real end?
How’s it hit you when you get that kind of news?
Man whatcha do?

An' he said: "I went sky diving, I went rocky mountain climbing,
"I went two point seven seconds on a bull named Fu Man Chu.
"And I loved deeper and I spoke sweeter,
"And I gave forgiveness I'd been denying."
An' he said: "Some day, I hope you get the chance,
"To live like you were dyin'."

He said "I was finally the husband,
"That most the time I wasn’t.
"An' I became a friend a friend would like to have.
"And all of a sudden goin' fishin’,
"Wasn’t such an imposition,
"And I went three times that year I lost my Dad.
"Well, I finally read the Good Book,
"And I took a good long hard look,
"At what I'd do if I could do it all again,
"And then:

"I went sky diving, I went rocky mountain climbing,
"I went two point seven seconds on a bull named Fu Man Chu.
"And I loved deeper and I spoke sweeter,
"And I gave forgiveness I'd been denying."
An' he said: "Some day, I hope you get the chance,
"To live like you were dyin'."

Like tomorrow was a gift,
And you got eternity,
To think about what you’d do with it.
An' what did you do with it?
An' what can I do with it?
An' what would I do with it?

"Sky diving, I went rocky mountain climbing,
"I went two point seven seconds on a bull named Fu Man Chu.
"And then I loved deeper and I spoke sweeter,
"And I watched Blue Eagle as it was flyin'."
An' he said: "Some day, I hope you get the chance,
"To live like you were dyin'."

"To live like you were dyin'."
"To live like you were dyin'."
"To live like you were dyin'."
"To live like you were dyin'." 


The statement "to live like you were dying" I believe could be called a paradox. Because in truth we are all dying. It is easy to not think about dying. I remember when my Pop died. I was shocked because in truth I thought he was invincible. Never sick a day in his life. I faced my own mortality when faced with my mom's death. It scared me so that I made myself sick for many years. Not a good place to be for sure. I can admit death has been one of my biggest fears. It is not the being dead. It is the process of how I am going to die. Thankfully I have learned peace about it because I know where my soul is going. Interesting how I once again faced mortality when my son was diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy three years ago. I was devastated and quite hysterical when I first realized what we faced with this disease.  But God prepared my heart between the time I knew there was a great possibility of him having it and getting the official phone call from the Dr. I knew God had a purpose and that He would give us the strength to go through life facing each progression in his disease. Has it been easy these last three years? No, and it won't be, but we can handle it, and of that I am sure because God entrusted us with Jared and his disease. He is a beautiful boy and has brought us so much joy. He is a gift from God and he and every other boy like him is not a mistake. We will learn how to walk this walk together.


What is the difference between us and every other family who have healthy children? The difference is we know our child's future. I believe it has given us the ability to not take anything for granted but to live each day like we were dying.  I personally would not choose to go skydiving as I am terrified of heights, but I know I will make sure I tell my son and husband that I love them many times throughout the day and enjoy each and every moment in my life that I possibly can. It has been a little difficult as of late, but this blog helps. It is something I have been wanting to do for months and I am glad I have finally have made it possible. This is my 3rd post and I love every moment of it.


So, the truth is we are all going to die some day, just some of us have more knowledge of not taking it for granted that we will live forever. Please, remember how special a gift each day is, and  stop and smell the roses, or dance, or sing or whatever it is that you can enjoy in the moment.  I can say I have much joy thankfully because of my faith that I have had in God since I was 12. All the hard times I have been given since I was born have prepared me for this moment, and I always say I prefer for Jesus to bring the rain since it has grown me so much more in character and wisdom and being who God wants me to be. 


I want to say a shout out to all the MD families out there, especially the Moms. I have been so blessed to have each of you as a friend on FB. You inspire me, help me through those times when no one else can understand what I am feeling, and I look forward to a time when I can meet each and every one of you. I have a dream and that would be to travel the world and meet all MD families, and those with other forms of neuromuscular disease. It may never come to fruition, but with FB we have been able to connect all over the world. Having the PPMD community also is wonderful although I have to admit I spend all my time on FB.

Moms, lets continue to fight the fight for a cure or treatment for our boys and never give up. I hope it will be soon so we can stop seeing our boys die way too young. I hope and pray in the next 10 years although I know time is of the essence for all of us. I pray that there will be a treatment or cure soon.

All others, please help us raise awareness and find a cure. Just contact me for ways to help if you need to know where to start.

Keep the faith and fight the good fight!

Much love.

Kari
John 11:26