It is not as much that I have more time to notice this year than last. It is honestly because I feel I am on, "Bonus Time". Did you ever play Space Invaders, Asteroid or even Pac Man? When you get lucky or do well you might get an extra space ship or another little colored eating icon. As I think of it, Theresa usually crushes me in Pac Man, even when I get white knuckled as I focus closely and try and play it correctly in hopes of surviving. In hopes of getting another icon and the opportunity for even more bonus time! The cycle continues.
I think people sometimes recognize when they are on, "Bonus Time" and look at life a bit differently. Regardless of the weather, my work schedule or where I am when I awake in the morning, I honestly get a small smile. I feel like I have beaten the odds again! As long as I know where I am, the approximate date and I am breathing, it's a win!
I could be wrong, but I think people in general appreciate life as well as, "Bonus Time" more if they have had more life experiences. Those experiences can be either good or bad. Surviving cancer? Survived loosing a loved one to a terrible disease like ALS? Faced challenges that made your heart weary? Cared for a severely handicapped child? Tasted the adventure of traveling around the world? The things in life that test us, test our limits, help us appreciate life more.
I can't say it was one event that changed my perspective. I think it is the collection. A tapestry of good and bad. Seeing our children born was incredibly positive. Facing an armed robber with a sawed off shotgun was a negative. In a way it is kind of funny. The same tragic event that was so negative turned into a positive when my officers and I walked away from it. It makes a person appreciate still being here. Sitting in Theresa's mom's kitchen on those New Jersey winter evenings are some of the fondest memories of my life. Carrying her when she could no longer walk due to, "Lou Gehrig's Disease" was some of my worst.
The good and bad of life. I'll probably mess up the saying, but the ying and yang of life. Everyone reading this have had both. What do you do with it? Speed through life in a hardened metal transport vehicle and ignore what you have endured? I think, "No" but what the heck do I know anyway? I drive a car with our pictures on the side of it.
The good and bad of life. I'll probably mess up the saying, but the ying and yang of life. Everyone reading this have had both. What do you do with it? Speed through life in a hardened metal transport vehicle and ignore what you have endured? I think, "No" but what the heck do I know anyway? I drive a car with our pictures on the side of it.
Live on the edge a little. Treasure moments in your day and the people around you. Maybe share a smile or a tear. I don't know the answer. Maybe pursue your own answer. In the meantime, I"ll keep looking at Ryan's second upper tooth and treasure each minute it is still hanging in there. After all in "Bonus Time", you never know when your spaceship might get hit by an asteroid.
Have a great week!
Ray & Theresa Shay
