In the blink of an eye

In the Bible it states that the world will end in the blink of an eye. Now, for me, this is very disturbing and somewhat surreal. It is hard for me to imagine "forever" and that it could all be over in less then a second.

Working in the ER I have seen this happen. Too many times to count.

An accident...a person gone, and family who didn't get to say good-bye.

You never quite get used to the profound sadness of my job, but you have to learn how to cope with it or you would not last 1 month. You see people day after day at their very worst. Hearing news that will change their lives forever, and hear from them what they would give to have the chance to say good-bye one last time.

Even though you know that you have a limited time on this Earth it does not become real until something happens to either you or someone close to you.

Sunday started out pretty normal. We had the kids and went to church. As we were leaving church my mom turned on her cell phone as we were leaving for Champs (the kids' favorite restaurant to go for brunch). Her cell phone beeped...she had a message.

We joked about who would be calling her and then her face turned from joking to serious. My cousin, who is in his mid 30's, was life linked to the hospital. He had a heart attack. How could this have happened? He is only 36.

It made me start to think about a conversation that I had with my own doctor a few days prior to that. Seems as though there are some outstanding tests and a referral to a specialist that he wants me to complete. Even though it is not life-threatening it still can be information that impacts your life.

I have started to appreciate each day more and am more thankful for all that I have been given. The compassion and understanding for people needs to be great as we never always know the burdens they carry.

So today I am thankful for my kids, family and friends. Thankful that I woke up this morning and am able to go to work (physically make it to work, and that I have a job). I am thankful that I have a place to go home to tonight with a loving and understanding husband waiting there for me. I am thankful that my cousin will recover and go home to his family. Thank you to God for each day.