525,600 Minutes

When the movie “Rent” came out a few years back, one of my friends insisted that I come along to see it.  After all, it had been such a big hit on Broadway and I needed to be “more cultured”. Well I went kicking and screaming. All I remember about that experience is that they SANG A LOT! I didn’t get a real feel for the story except that somebody was a filmmaker, somebody had AIDS, somebody was being evicted, somebody was a performer, somebody was on drugs and they SANG A LOT.  Even the girl who appeared to be dying at the end got up and SANG.

During Christmas this year I was sharing my experience with my theater actress niece who couldn’t believe I didn’t like the movie. She absolutely loves the play and insisted that I watch the video of the actual Broadway play that she forcefully handed me. She was convinced that I’d really like it.  Reluctantly, I took the video and watched it. What I remember from the video is:  somebody was a filmmaker, somebody had AIDS, somebody was being evicted, somebody was a performer, somebody was on drugs and they SANG A LOT.  Even the girl who appeared to be dying at the end got up and SANG.(Sorry Ty)

What was ringing in my head after watching the video was that powerful song at the end. It was by far my favorite song from the movie/play. That chick with the big voice really took it home. In addition to liking the song I learned that there are 525,600 minutes in a year.  I guess I should have known that but I've never really thought about breaking the year down into minutes. It really got me thinking since we’re winding down 2012 and heading to 2013.

I began to think in the few minutes I have left in 2012 (and I say ‘few’ because it is a small amount compared to 525,600). I began to think back on how I spent the bulk of my minutes this year and how I can make the best use of my minutes in 2013. I started thinking back and wishing I could get some of those minutes back. My sad reality is that I can’t get those minutes back.  I think we could all agree that we have wasted some of our minutes on things that didn't matter in 2012.  Maybe that’s what all that SINGING was about in “Rent”. Maybe that was the message. We can’t afford to waste the minutes we have.  This is so true in every faction of our lives. It’s true whether referring to the time our governmental bodies spend to make decision on things like the Debt Ceiling or the Fiscal Cliff. It’s true in referring to  the time a person has left on their job that will be ending  “in a minute”, the time a person battling a terminal illness has left or simply time spent away from family, friends or loved ones. You can’t get back the minutes lost regardless to how they are spent.  I’m reminded of a little poem I sometimes quote—not sure where I got it from:

            

            I have only got a minute. Only sixty seconds in it.

Forced upon me.  Can’t refuse it.

Didn't pick it. Didn't Chose it.

I must suffer if I lose it

Give account if I abuse it.

Just a tiny little minute

But Eternity is in it

Powerful, isn't it?

Well at 12:00 am on January 1, 2013 we all will have 525,600 minutes of the year 2013. What are you going to do with yours?

Birthday Blog: "8th Anniversary of my 39th Birthday"

As I celebrate the 8^th Anniversary of my 39^th Birthday, the first thing I realize is that  I haven’t blogged since 2011—I have GOT to do better!! If nothing else, I am going to commit to blogging more frequently this year. Of course there are things I have to say. I don’t know where my passion went.  Believe you me, I will find it again!

Now, on a more serious note…….

I am grateful to celebrate another year.  Although these anniversaries seem to be coming twice as fast as they did in the past, I remain happy to celebrate LIFE.  I wouldn't dare take this gift for granted.  Those who know me well and know my story can attest to the fact that 8 years ago, the gift of LIFE was one that I wasn't sure I would possess.  A serious storm hit me that almost took me out. The strange thing is, during that time, an earthquake and tsunami hit the west coast of Indonesia.  I was totally unaware as I was facing a tsunami of my own.  From November of 2004 to January of 2005 I was in a deep sleep. I was in a coma. I was not aware of anything that was going on in the world. 

Now, 8 years later, Sandy had devastated parts of the East Coast.  Strange how these storms seem to be a theme with me.  The interesting thing about my storm of 2004/2005 was that I wasn't aware of much of it at all.  While I only hear the reports from family and friends of what that time was like for them, I only know that during that time I was not “here”. 

For me, the gift of LIFE was in the balance.  There were times that looked better than others.  According to reports from family and friends, doctors had little hope for me to hold on to the gift of LIFE. Plans were being made for me to live in some type of assisted living facility.  After all, the doctors thought that if I did live, I would never be able to live alone again.  “They” said that I would most likely suffer brain damage after being on a ventilator for so long. }They" said I’d need assistance with personal care. They must not have known that during that whole time I was resting in the arms of the giver and sustainer of life. Little did “they” know, I was coming back to my gift; to my LIFE.  

I returned to my LIFE in January of 2005 realizing I had been through a major tsunami. I listened patiently as doctors told me how I would be able to get oxygen tanks for my house and could have the mobile oxygen units when I ventured out. (I still whisper a prayer of gratitude every time I see someone with those portable tanks) I listened patiently as physical therapists worked with me and gave me information about getting hand controls for my car.  After all, I wouldn't be able to drive with my feet anymore according to them. What "they" didn't know was while they were artificially sustaining my life, God was sustaining my LIFE from a divine vantage point.  Don’t get me wrong, I am soooooo grateful for all the work the doctors and staff at NC Baptist Hospital did to, and on behalf of,  my temple while my spirit was absent. Had it not been for them managing my temple, my spirit would not have had a place to return to. I am eternally grateful for that.

My return from my tsunami brought with it some storm damage. Although the forecast was pretty grim for me, I continued to believe in the promises God made me. I went through physical therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, respiratory therapy with the knowledge that I would return to my LIFE as I had previously known it-- minus some storm damage.  My feet don’t operate like they did prior to the storm. I have limited feeling and function in them.  My lung capacity is not a good as it was. BUT, I can talk and sing like they never thought I would. I don’t walk with a cane, crutches or any other assistive device.  I don’t carry a mobile oxygen tank or have one in my home. I drive my car with my FEET. I have some storm damage, but I have LIFE and that’s what God promised me.  I don’t take it for granted.

Earlier this week, President Obama and Governor Christie surveyed the damage from Hurricane Sandy. They observed and discussed the massive damage the storm’s impact has had on the communities in New Jersey.   No one can really predict even what the landscape of the Jersey Shore will look like going forward. Parts of New York are still without power.  A huge construction crane still hangs from the top of an apartment building still under construction.  No one knows what will happen if it is not secured and falls to the ground.   However, there is still LIFE. And, where there is LIFE there is HOPE.  Like me, the East Coast will have some storm damage but it will continue to live.

So, on this 8^th Anniversary of my 39^th Birthday, I celebrate the greatest gift I’ve ever received: LIFE.  I am grateful for all I have. I am grateful for the people in my life who have prayed for me, thought of me and kept me lifted not only during my storm but before and after.  I am grateful for the LIFE I have. Most people who don’t know my story don’t even recognize the storm damage.  They don’t even recognize my limp.  I jokingly say, “He’ll turn your limp into a pimp”! LOL (I know. Only I would say something like that). 

I thank God for the storm, I thank him for the storm damage and most of all I thank him for LIFE!  On this, my 47^th Birthday, I thank God for the greatest gift he’s ever given me. I thank God for LIFE!