"I wonder if people driving past me have been laughing and starring as I rock out to mostly Broadway music, and some Britney Spears..."
The thought quickly left my mind as another song came on, and I once again began to carry on in my own quirky way, like no one was watching.
The drive back, however, was starkly different. My mood was somber, reflective. The weather was angry. Thick gray clouds plastered the sky, and my windshield wipers could barely keep up with the torrential rain as I drove through the mountain passes. I watched anxiously as cars in front of me hydroplaned, and large trucks zipping by dumped, what felt like, hundreds of gallons of water onto my little corolla. I kept praying that the Black Pearl and myself would make it home in one piece.
It's amazing to me how quickly life can change. One minute you're rocking out without a care in the world, and the next, you have to make an effort to get through the day in one piece. We've all been there. Without going into too much detail, my family has faced a lot of tragedy in the last six months. The loss of my Grandfather shook me to the core, and now my Grandmother is in her last few days/weeks of life. I write this not for you, or anyone else to feel sorry for me, but to challenge you to embrace that which is most important to you in life. It sounds cliche, but there is so much truth in living everyday like it's your last.
The writing challenge for this week was, what makes you, you? I've had lots of time to think about it this week. I think the best way to describe myself is in two simple words: live intentionally.
When I'm at the end of my life, I want to look back and know that I loved fiercely. That I took the time to get to know others, without judgment. That I opened my mind to all the knowledge that my brain could absorb. I want to read every book on my reading list. I want to have discussions with people who challenge me, or make me think on a deeper level. I want to experience the kind of love that absorbs every fiber of your being. I want the hardships and joy of raising a family. I want to do everything that I said I'd do. I want to live so that I have stories to tell. When the day comes to stand in front of my God, I want to stand with confidence in knowing that I lived the best life I could; with honest and true intentions.
But that's just me...
