Death is Waiting

The eight-inch rock dislodged from the walls of the cave, hurtling toward the bottom of the 120-foot pit, where the caver was standing, unaware of the potentially lethal projectile.

The rock smashed into her wrist, slashing her skin and leaving behind a swollen reminder of the encounter. But what if the rock had crashed on top of her head or landed on her face?

Death is waiting.

Last month, I decided to visit my sister. Friends often tease me about driving too slow, but on this particular afternoon it might have saved a life.

As I crested a hill, a child suddenly shot around from behind a blind curve into the middle of the street, after losing control of her bicycle. If I had been traveling one mile per hour faster or been distracted by a text, I'm convinced I would have plowed into her.

Death is waiting.

A couple of days ago, I read an excellent article in National Geographic about longevity. Assuming an average life span of about 80 years, the article pointed out that major health problems such as cancer, diabetes, stroke, or dementia will likely begin surfacing around the age of 61, the very time when many retirees finally get around to pursuing their dreams.

Death is waiting.

Maybe, we should all reflect more on our finite existence on earth. What are we putting off - vacations, spending more time with our families, righting a wrong?  Maybe, we should all get started on our To-do lists today because sometimes tomorrow never arrives.