And so...we live

A clear popping noise broke the rhythmic encantation of the cadydids announcing the fall of dusk. The ice shifts, as I watch Uncle Willie's adams apple move -- swigging down Aunt Icy's famous sweet tea. Uncle Willie is a Purple Heart recipient from World War II. I never saw a day he didn't wear his overalls and light colored, collared button down.

From the same perch I'd made mud pies from earlier -- I watch the lightning bugs taking flight and the blooms on that sweet magnolia begin to close each petal as if to sleep for the night.

I listen : If I close my eyes I can see the Cadron Creek swell and flood when it rained. It was terrifying and exhilarating just the same. The murky waters gather foam as thousands of gallons of water would push it's way past wayward brush and debris.

Willie and Elmer-- The name of two boys -- raised in Central Arkansas -- Both born somewhere near 1922. They are the same age -- and beyond their friendship, Willie also was, Elmer's uncle. You would never know it listening to their conversations. Their laughter -- and their wicked rants of those good ol' day days. It would seem the two are brothers in life.

The sweet tea would be gone long before the ice could melt. Their voices would echo the moments of days gone by...mostly, they talked about the Cadron Creek.

Can you imagine running dirt roads, a cool five miles, just to get to a swollen creek? I, then and now, didn't visualize them but more so the adventure...of catching fallen tree's upcreek, and jumping the banks to ride the tumultuous currents until the banks narrowed to close to pass through.

Through their discussions and experiences, I learned, being bitten by a cotton mouth will make you quite sick -- and how Willie and Elmer had a drunk uncle who poured kerosene on Willie's snake bite -- for miraculous results. While, I can hardly imagine using kerosene for medicinal purposes -- both were pleased to share their story--- tall tale? who knows. What an adventure.

You may not know this, but I was adopted by a senior citizen couple. This couple also happened to be my biological father's parents...who were kind enough to re-unite my full blood older brother and I. My adopted father was Elmer. Uncle Willie is well, to this very day, my great uncle.

It was during my time with them, I developed an appreciation for a generation decades away from my own. After my adopted parents passed away, I found solace in seeking out others who knew what it was like to truly LIVE.

Not long after attending my last funeral, I adopted a grandfather at a nursing facility near my campus. I went to visit him every week. He was very tall, very quiet and quite surly when he did speak. Unfortunately, he never told a story or wanted anything beyond a book to be read to him. He had no use for additional friendship or relationships in his life. But on a day when I meant to deliver a plate full of diabetic friendly brownies to him, I met a very lovely older woman.

She was lost. She was looking for her husband and son. I paid a visit to the nurses station to let them know her concerns before I delivered my homemade treats.

After an hour, I passed her in the hallway again. She asked me the same questions and seemed in great distress. I took her hand and walked every hallway with her. We could not find her husband or son. I soon learned she was a retired teacher. In fact, many visitors would stop to chat. They would share stories of her sweet spirit leading a room full of children through lesson after lesson. She, had no memory. She had no sense of time. She was lost. You may or may not guess -- Alzheimer's.

Shifting gears:

This thought process is not meant to bring about controversy, start arguments or create situations of envy...

Today, in a conversation, I merely stated: "she lives".

Could this be my famous last words? Not so much but you would have thought it would be had you heard the conversational response.

When I reflect on my misadventures and debauchery, or even that of my friends -- I always take the time to note: "what a great memory", I or they will have to keep. Someday, our experiences -- our relationships and our friendships will be the treasures that we live for.

This is a fact I am certain of -- having listened and through a childhood of observation: If we do not take the time to LIVE, how will we ever know, feel and for that matter love?

I have many friends whom dive FACE first, with eyes wide open into every flavor, color and smell LIFE can offer. I have other friends living on reserves, whom look at the others and wonder how and why they can sacrifice so much for a little experience.

Looking back to the elders of my life, I see how precious memories are. How -- the older we get, our identities perpetuate around those memories -- and how if those memories are never experienced OR if somehow, stolen by disease -- we are lost.

Too deep? I know, I know. But today, all I can think of is -- what am I doing to LIVE. How am I making a difference and celebrating those who came before me, sacrificed for me and made my life what it is....How do I embrace the everything that is out there -- to truly LIVE?

But then again -- How do you?

I have at least one friend who knows this important thought -- and so...SHE lives! I do not envy her. I simply celebrate her energy and respect for all there is to experience and enjoy!

I am thankful for those who know my earnest effort to LIVE and I want those who don't to understand....I am not motivated by anything more than my desire and hunger to simply: know, love and feel....

What motivates you? how do you move forward and celebrate life? those who envy...I wonder WHY? where are you coming from...AND WHY are YOU not living?

My mind falls back to Willie and Elmer. In their 70's...sitting on a porch in overalls. Their bodies far too gone for manual labor or extreme sports...reminiscing on their experiences in life. They've loved with all their hearts, worked with every bone and muscles in their bodies and LIVED with every ounce of energy, God offered them.

I fervently miss them both. I'm thankful for this being one of may lesson's I've learned.