Reece Gardner: Perspective

Well, the Coronavirus is still with us, but there are hopeful signs that we may soon be turning the corner on the road to recovery. I like the way President Trump put it when he said it is not a question of MAY, it is a question of MUST. It is about perspective. 

A reminder we can derive from this unfortunate occurrence is how precious the gift of life on this earth is and how unexpectedly it can come to an end. I want to share again portions of a message sent out a few years ago by writer Mildred Contearas which she titled, "And Then It Is Winter:" 

"Time has a way of moving quickly and catching us unaware of the passing years. It seems just yesterday that I was young and embarking on a new life. But here it is....the winter of my life.  I remember well seeing older people through the years and thinking that they were YEARS away from me.  But now we ARE those older folks we used to see and thought we would never be. But though the winter has come, and I'm not sure how long it will last, I do know that when it's over on earth, a NEW ADVENTURE will begin." 

Looking back, there are things I wish I hadn't done and things I should have done, but it's all in a lifetime.

So if you're not in your winter yet, just know that it will be here faster than you think. Say all the things you want your loved ones to remember. Tell them how much you love and appreciate them, and do it NOW. 

Some parting thoughts:  Today is the oldest we've ever been, yet the youngest we will ever be. Many of the things we used to do, we no longer care to do them, but we really do care that we don't care to do them anymore. But "old" is good in some things, like precious family members, old friends, and Precious Memories. Life is a gift to us, but the WAY we live it is our gift to others. 

It is not what we gather, but what we share, that tells what kind of life we have lived. So let's get ready to say "Goodbye" to the Coronavirus, and "Hello" to the words of that beautiful song, "Count your blessings, name them one by one, count your many blessings, see what God has done."

Now to close on a humorous note:  An American, a Scot, and a Canadian were in a terrible car accident.  They were all brought to the same emergency room, but all three of them died. Just as the doctor was about to put the toe tag on the American, he stirred and opened his eyes. Astonished, the doctor and nurses asked him what happened. "Well," said the American, "I remember the crash, and then there was a beautiful light, and the Canadian and the Scot and I were standing at gates of Heaven. 

“St Peter approached and said that we were all too young to die and that for a donation of $50, we could return to the earth. So, of course, I pulled out my wallet and gave him the $50, and the next thing I knew I was back here."

"That's amazing!" said one of the doctors, "But what happened to the other two?"

"Last I saw them," replied the American, "The Scot was haggling over the price, and the Canadian was waiting for the government to pay for his." 

Have a WONDROUS day!