Life is Just One Day

“I have something I want you to read.” Charlie, my brother-in-law said as he slipped a neatly folded piece of paper into my hand. “I didn’t write it, but I’ve had it a long time and it reminds me of your mom and dad.”

We were gathered under the canopy of maple and oak trees on my sisters’ property in North Carolina. Just moments before we had honored my father—burying his ashes, praying prayers, laughing and crying as we shared stories, songs, and poems.  Everyone was invited to speak. But my paper-wielding family member is steeped in wisdom and humble enough to offer it sparingly. Charlie had chosen to remain silent when others were sharing. 

I read what was written on the paper and said to Charlie, “Oh my! Everyone needs to know this. Would you read it to the group?”

Thankfully, he agreed.

Shouting over the din of my loud and large family, I called out, “Hey, there’s one more person to speak.”

Charlie stepped forward.  Eighty eyes upon him, he read.

Life is One Day

Born in one day

Live in one day

Die in one day

Everything is happening in one day

Today is your only life

Yesterday is already dead—too late

Tomorrow is not yet born—too early

What you have is today

Today is not a part of life

It is the only life

Therefore we need to enjoy and 

Have a happy day

Once you have a happy day

You have a happy life.

The import of these “stashed-away” words brought into the light were magnified by the moment. 

I encourage you to slowly re-read the “poem” above and wonder—how does this speak to me today? What am I being invited to say, do, or be?

Grace and Peace,
Mary Bea