LIFE IS ALL WE’VE GOT

The energy with which he pushed the fly away while it was a mile away reminded me of the greatest gift we have: to be alive.

I stood behind him at the entrance of the church whiles the priest gave his homily (message) since we were late for mass. According to the catholic tradition, if you get to church during the homily, you will have to stay outside to listen until it is over, in order not to be a distraction for those already  inside. The innocent housefly made a silly mistake to head towards him for a minute and it had its ass kicked like a wretched thief.

He reminded me of the friend I had lost, a few days ago: A handsome, smart and an intelligent guy who had better techniques of sacking flies than he did. There he lied lifeless and quiet, couldn’t even raise a finger to sack the flies that walked on his own face; and I remembered how energetic he was the last time we met, his smile, his jokes and the life that flew out of him.

Now, the question is: of all the things that are registered in your name, which one do you really own?

I say: Life is all you truly own.

If you gain all there is to acquire and you don’t wake up the next morning, none of those possessions will follow you into your grave. Build your house with gold and have a room full of money, even if you are buried with gold when you are gone, how are you going to use it on your journey? And oh, don’t let the thieves know for they will dig you up and steal from the dead to live.

All I want to remind you of is: let your death resound your well lived life to the world. After you are gone, let the lives that you impacted mourn you out of the loss of a treasure and not as a formality.

You are not a god to live forever. Definitely, no matter how old you grow, your mouth will be filled with dirt and termites will feast on you like a holiday treat so cast some pride aside and help a fellow, show some love to a neighbor and share some excess because life, indeed life is all that you truly own.