“Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the number of moments that take our breath away.”
That really sounds profound, deep, almost mystical…I saw those words somewhere once and thought ‘…that’s a great statement to hang on a wall or sit on my desk…’, let folks know I have depth, some mysticism. Today it has taken on a new meaning in my life because I have had a few moments that took my breath away, I just didn’t realize how important they were at the time but I’m glad I didn’t forget them.
The last day of school before summer break in 1966 when I was first introduced to Donna, she took my breath away, that most of my common sense, will power and a good portion of my self confidence followed is common knowledge.
Again in June 1968 when I first saw her on Prom night, my breath deserted me (this MUST be a dream).
Then, in March 1971, I returned from overseas, arriving home in the middle of the day. We had been apart for 13 months & 21 days, she didn’t know I was coming in. Her mother called her at work, I sat and waited, trying to figure out how I should act when she got there; I had faced bullets, but this was different. When she came into the room she could have been the poster child for working mothers everywhere; hair slightly mussed, scarf carelessly thrown around her neck, carrying too many bags, umbrella dangling, almost out of breath herself…and carrying our son, beautiful. I’ve never forgotten that image of her and told her about it often. I’m not sure if I passed out that day, but I do remember struggling for my breath.
Later, after a terrible argument, where the things that were said on both sides would make a sailor blush and a hardhat weep, things that neither of our mothers would be proud of, deeply hurtful things, things designed to incite rage and cause great gnashing of teeth (mission accomplished)...You took my breath away then too, baby.
On our wedding day, when I saw her walking down the aisle, dress flowing, eyes bright and shining…well you get the idea…there were these and many more moments. For me, the number of these moments are immense and I am grateful for each and every one.
It appears that as we travel through this life we are given hints about the important things, the things that we should preserve in those special places in our hearts and minds. The challenge appears to be to not get caught up in the practical, everyday ‘must do’s’ of life, but to stop and savor those breath taking moments.
We have all heard it before, but many of us allow those moments to pass and be forgotten. Sometimes we are pushed, pummeled and bashed so badly by this life, we are unable to appreciate the importance of those times. Although a good portion of the life Donna and I shared took in a lot of that pushing and pummeling, I truly treasure all the breath taking moments she gave to me. Now you must remember, this is only me, and other events and the process of time may have clouded some of my recollections, I may be idealizing here, but even if that’s true, I don’t care, they make me feel good! And these days I’m hanging on to any and everything that can do that.
Guess what I’m getting at is this: don’t take your moments or your breaths for granted. You may not recognize it, but you have the opportunity to make how you will remember now, for your future memories, you can be making your breath taking moments at this instant. They are yours to create any way you like. We shouldn't expect them all the time, that would somehow diminish the importance of them, but in this case i'm thinking more is better. I ain’t preachin’, just sharin’.
It is my sincere prayer that each of you receive the gift of breath taking moments just as I have, it appears they don’t cost much, take up only a little space, and are available for review 24/7. We can’t find many things these days that can do all that!.
Pax,
‘…you hate me don’t you,…………yeah, that’s why I married you...............................................twice!’
“I carry your heart with me (I carry it in my heart) I am never without it (anywhere I go, you go), my dear…” -eecummings
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