Live Like You Are Dying

Wow! I had no idea it had been so long since I posted. I am sure I have plenty of catching up to do. First I will say that I haven't been keeping up the last week or so because I have been on a vacation/job interview. Around the first of March I applied for a job with the state of Michigan to be an inspector for homes for the aged. I thought I had no chance and thought it would be an honor just to get an interview. On April 8 I got a call to come for an interview. It had to be done in person, so I packed my bags and left with Aidan the next day. We got to spend Easter in MI and although it was short notice we got to spend time with family (and I tried to spend time with some friends). It was nice. The interview was the 15th and it went well. I don't think I got the job since I didn't finish the final written portion, but I feel like I have a whole lot better understanding of the state interview process. Oh and a new suit, which was commented on by the interviewers.

So I know the title of my little post seems scary. No fear I am NOT dying. I just saw this billboard during on my way back to Kansas. It was one of those Pass It On billboards. It said "He wrote a book on living while he was dying." I am sorry I didn't get the guys name. Anyway, it got me thinking. What would I do if I had six months to live. Here is a few points I thought of

• Food-Part of me says "if you are dying who cares about weight and health. Another part of me say "if you were dying you may extend your life by eating better". Then the practical part chimes in "would you want to lay in a casket with 'fat neck' and have to have an extra large casket?" Of course I would not. I would probably slip the mortician a few bucks to duct tape my neck in the back to get rid of the 'fat neck' look. So eat healthy wins.
• I would work very hard to be a good mom. I would want Aidan to remember making cookies with me and reading stories and playing silly games together.
• I would keep a better journal.
• I would try to teach Matt all the things he needs to do in my absence to take care of Aidan. He is a great dad. He just forgets some of the basic things. I worry that he would forget that kids need to see the doctor for a physical or that he wouldn't make every effort to get Aidan to eat vegetables. I worry that he would forget to put him in preschool or to look through the hand-me-down clothes every season. Things that I do without ever a thought and never mention to him.
• I usually tell people "thank you" and "I love you" when appropriate. I would make sure I NEVER forgot to do that.
• I would clean my house. No need to have the Relief Society come over to clean before the funeral.
• I can't say I would go anywhere or do anything "special". I have been blessed to travel and experience many things in my life. And while they were fun and I am glad to have experienced them for some reason I just don't think I would want to spend my time traveling or checking bungee jumping off a list.
• I would get more organized. I wouldn't want to leave a mess for those left. Put the coupons in order. Make some freezer meals. Go through the boxes of papers and photos I have.
• I think I would spend some time thinking about what things I would leave to people. It seems stupid to waste time on that I guess. But I think I would pick out special things and maybe write a little something to explain why I am giving the item to that person.
• I also would study the gospel more. I would read my scriptures, go to the temple, and make my prayers more meaningful.

That was just a few of the things I thought of. For the past couple of days I have been thinking about doing something everyday to live like I am dying. Or better yet, not make my time here on earth a waste. Today I got Aidan to eat beets. Sure they were hidden in chicken nuggets, but he ate them. We also went outside and used two of his plastic bowling pins and bowling ball to play what he called "tennis".

I am going to start doing a better job of living. I would hate to get to the end and have to cram. Because we all know when you cram for a test it just doesn't stick with you the same way it does if you are studying all along.