Death is something I contemplate. I think about what it would mean for me to die. Not just in suicide, but in general. I also ponder the deaths of friends, family, and others around me. I simply wonder what it would be like to experience the news of that person dying and the implications it would have on my life.

Of course, I don’t want to die, and I definitely don’t want my friends or family to. Its just a part of my nature to think about these things.

If I’m in the “right mood” for it, I won’t even be sad. Even if I start tearing up, I’m not sad but rather experiencing the emotions. It helps me work through the realities of how I would feel should that event occur. I gain a better understanding for what is important to me and how I value the relationships around me.

My father is a great example. He was in the Navy, which means he was deployed a lot. There are plenty of moments in my childhood that I can remember him being around for, and there are plenty when my mother was only parent present. We argued, we laughed, we were a father and son. I can’t recall any life changing advice or profound guidance he provided, but I do know that who I am today includes a part of me influenced by my dad.

His death would rock my world. I’d shut myself off from the world and curse the heavens.

So, why am I waiting around to contact him? In fact, I chose to write this piece instead of calling him.  If I got the news that my dad was severely injured, diagnosed with a fatal disease, or dead; I would be devastated. And, like most people, I would immediately regret the situations I missed out on. I would start blaming myself for not calling more often. I would beat myself up over not spending more quality time with him when I was home. I would never forgive myself for not communicating how much I loved him; knowing I could have done so with without using words.

If you’re starting to wonder if this is another post and article about not taking life for granted; you’re right. That’s exactly what this is. We all need reminders to eat healthy, to exercise, and even to floss. Why not a regular reminder to have gratitude for your life and others’? Why not have a sticky note reminding you of 5 people you absolutely love, so you remember to interact with them in some way? Heck, writing this post is doing that for me right now.

Thanks to technology, you do not need to be wealthy or near these people to do things with them. My dad lives in Washington State. I live in Washington DC. We have one major thing in common: football. I plan on doing a weekly “Pick the winner” with him. It’ll be simple. It’ll be effective.

Don’t let yourself get to that moment we ALL KNOW will come. The moment where you start to regret all of the opportunities you missed out on. The things you wished you did will be just that. The things you could have done, but didn’t, will become regrets.

– Tim Lawson, USMC
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