Sometimes Tomorrow Never Comes

I was watching the news yesterday when I learned of five-year old Caitlin Presley Downing of Oviedo, FL.

Caitlin recently lost her battle to Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma, an inoperable and untreatable brain stem tumor.

Her mother has written a blog to keep loved ones informed of her daughter's condition. The blog is called Cheering for Caitlin. 

While I was reading the posts, I came across a section that will stay with me forever:

Tonight I urge you to run thru the mud and get messy, go see Wreck it Ralph, put up a blow-up, not at all Martha Stewart, 6ft snowman in the front yard, eat dessert first, have a picnic on the futon, plan a trip to Disney, wear your pajamas and ignore the dishes…because it will make your children smile and be happy. 

And please don’t say these words to your children if it can be helped,

“Later”

“In a little bit”

“Wait”

“There isn’t time”

“Maybe another day”

Because I just got a full kick in the heart of “time” and all that it means, and it isn’t pretty.

How often do we say these words without much thought?

We always assume that tomorrow will exist.

I for one am sick and tired of focusing on the things I deem as "have to be done".

For once, I'd like to forget about the chores and just play.

It happens so rarely that I'm not even sure I know how to play.

In memory of Caitlin, I will make a positive effort to spend more time with my children and less time brushing them off.

Day Fifteen