I've been thinking a lot about your question since you posted it the other day. People in general get so caught up in their everyday lives that it becomes difficult to just slow down and appreciate how valuable life really is. I've grown to realize that it is the details in life that are most precious, like teaching my son how to skip rocks across a lake or hiking in the mountains with my daughter and pointing out new wildflowers. We all take so much for granted as we traverse the road of life and it is the little things that seem, to me, to be the most important and is what I would do more of if I was faced with knowing an end was near.

I read somewhere about a woman diagnosed with terminal cancer and she had maybe a year to live. She videotaped herself as if she were speaking to her children and spouse during important milestones in their future lives. For example, what she would say to her children on their wedding day, the birth of a child, even what she would say if they had a tough time in their life. She labeled each video so her kids and spouse could look at them when/if they arrived at that point in their own lives. I thought that would be an amazing gift to loved ones, to still have a part of their mother during a time when they may need her words and wisdom.

So, your original question made me think of how I would live each day, if I only had 6 months:

- speak kinder
- forgive
- watch every sunset
- find something positive out of every situation, no matter what is happening
- fall in love with my spouse...again
- make memories with my kids each day
- reconnect with anyone I had a "falling out" with
- take a trip to the one spot on earth that is most special to me (... a place called Timberline Lake)

My thoughts are with you and your family and please let us know if we can help in any way. There seems to be a lot of folks on here who feel the same.

I would do most of the things the other bloggers said. If I can get this email thingy to work, I intend to keep a promise.

Remember, think positive. You are in my prayers.

Tug

Yes, it was somewhat of a rhetorical question.

It’s something most of us never think about until illness strikes and we are faced with the possibility of it being true.

These two little words “end stage” will strike fear into even the strongest of men.

But those words can be a blessing if you realize your greatest contribution to this world is the ones that you leave behind.

Live each day as it were your last.

I suppose I would keep doing what I have been doing, trying to capture the moment, because we do not exist in the past or the future. When I was young, the statement "You can't live forever" was a lot more rhetorical than it is for me now, decades later. I may have a bit of an advantage over most people with the "time left to live" issue. My mother passed away when I was seven years old, and my family brought me up to her casket to say goodbye. At that moment, I realized something that I can not put into words, other than to say, "Everything in this existence is really alright and we do not need to worry or be afraid".

"My soul do not seek immortal life, but exhaust the realm of the possible" -- Pindar

Best to you, Wulf.

What Cy said.

I yam what I yam....Popeye

I would make sure I had made my peace with God, first and foremost. Then I would thank him that I had at least one more College football season to watch.

I would get my affairs in order from memorial service and settling my estate. I would not tell those closest to me because I would not want every visit with my loved ones to be a sad affair. God Bless.

We are here for you buddy!

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Caution - The Surgeon General has determined that constant blogging is an addiction that can cause a sedentary life style.

I would tell all my family members and my good friends how much I love them. Would thank them for all they have done for me, all the good times we had, the memories they helped me make. I would kiss often and hug as hard as possible. I would do those things that I had put off always thinking I had time. If health did not permit much travel, I would try to sit by the water (always so soothing and restful to me). I would watch the waves and ships and the birds diving for their food. I would read as many good books (reading is my all time vice--if reading could ever be considered a vice.) If possible, I would eat all the good food I could get my hands on while it still had flavor and aroma to me. No worrying about gaining weight, etc. I would ask my family and friends what they would want of my possessions and not be offended when they did not want anything! I would make sure there was no doubt in my family's mind about what kind of service I wanted, if I wanted a service, where I wanted my ashes spread if that was my wish. I would try my best to make sure there would be no reason for squabbling among those I left behind. But most of all I would tell everyone important to me how much I love them and appreciate them and remind them of all the good times--no matter how small or big. And I would kiss often and hug hard. God bless you.

I hope you are doing well. Are you back from the other center you were going to go to?

I would call all of my friends and family spend as much time as possible with them. Give as many of my material things away to people who would want them.

Then I would do whatever made me the happiest: work on a painting, ride a good horse, watch the birds, fly a good plane, lay in the hammock with a good book, good music. and a good drink.....

Think about the times that you have been the happiest in your life, what made you happy and then get out and enjoy whatever it is.

Hang in there and let us know if we can do something for you. You are in my thoughts and prayers.