Here’s what I shared with my personal friends on a social network 3 years ago on October 3rd 2013.
I decided to share it with you on this blog for a reason I will reveal at the end of this article.
But first, I want you to read the story first:
In a short span of 3 days in the hospital round the clock (no I was not hospitalized) last week, I came face to face with 2 deaths.
First, a 50-year old man who suffered from heart infection. When I first saw him in the afternoon, the only thing he did was lying in the bed and breathing. That’s all. He had no expression with eyes wide open and he couldn’t communicate. He died on my first night there at 1 am. I saw his heart beat slowing down. It was around 25 then. He was admitted there about one month before he died.
Second, a woman in her 70’s. She was fine until she fainted one day. Admitted due to heart problem. On her second day in the hospital, while talking on the phone in hospital bed, she passed out suddenly. A group of doctors and nurses rushed to her bed to do CPR. That’s when I heard the commotion and learned about this incident. Her daughter was there when that happened. In less than an hour, the woman was pronounced dead. Later, she was wheeled to the Forensic Dept.
Why do I share this?
No, I don’t want you to be afraid of death. Why should you? Death is part of the natural process.
What I want you to do is appreciate and enjoy every moment you have now. Don’t live in the past or worry about the future. Live in the present moment.
If you have not said I love you to someone, say it now.
If you have not forgiven someone, forgive now.
If you have done wrong, say sorry now.
If you have not spent time with your child, do it now.
If you have a dream you have always wanted to achieve, go for it now.
The keyword is NOW because you’ll never know when we will say bye-bye. It can be very slow like the man above. Or it can be very fast, like the woman.
Touched by the story? You think those were the only deaths I witnessed and went through?
Not quite.
Following the two deaths I told you above, my father passed away one day after I posted the story. My brother called me from hometown and related the tragic news to me. I received the sad news when I was playing with J and K chasing around in the playground in the evening that day.
I was stunned momentarily and my mind went through the plan what I needed to do to prepare for my father’s funeral. My father’s death was the third that I knew of within a week. I was shocked at myself for being pretty calm after hearing the news.
What triggered me to share this 3-year old story? I saw the posting I made 3 years ago on the social network’s Memories and I had the urge to share it with you. I feel that there’s a lesson for everyone, not only in parenting but in our lives too. I don’t want you to regret for not doing what you need to do.
The story sounds sad but what I learned from it is no matter what happens, whether you’re rich or poor, the most important moment for you is the present moment.
That’s all there is in life. It’s the greatest thing in life.
As a parent, find a moment (it does not need to be long, 5-10 minutes will do) everyday that you can spend time with your child. While you are with him, pay your full attention to him. And just fully accept what the moment presents to you.
No requests, no complaints, no scoldings, no expectations.
Fully accept what’s unfolding in the present moment. Treasure it. Give your child the undivided attention. Save lecture for later. Even though you do “nothing” during this moment, your child will feel that he’s accepted and loved unconditionally by you.
The child will be grateful to you for doing this. Do this while you have the chance and before it’s too late. As we do not know what tomorrow brings and the only moment that really matters is now.
For more tips on bonding and parent-child relationship, check out “The Nonconformist’s Guide to Parenting.”
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