Staring out at the moon on a warm Saturday night.
Got me thinking of a lot of things.
Of all those times where I never told my loved ones that I love them.
Those times where I took them for granted.
Where I took for granted that my time with them is forever.
I’m currently reading a book, “One hour to live, one hour to love”, by Richard Carlson and Kristine Carlson.
It’s one of those books which puts things into perspective and make you reflect on your whole life.
It was originally a book dad got for mum, and I happened to run out of books to read, so I brought it back to Melbourne.
There’s so much I can say about this book.
About how it changed my perspective of love, of life.
It made me realise how short life really is.
And it made me realise that a lot of things in this world, mostly material, are not important.
Achievements in your life are not brought to your grave with you.
Your medals and trophies are merely worldly things.
Your money and material things are only used on earth and nowhere beyond.
What lasts forever is the legacy you leave behind.
It is what you have given that the world remembers you for.
It is how you made people feel that they will remember you for.
It is the times you have encouraged them that they will never forget.
It is the joy that you have brought into the lives of those around you that will be remembered.
It is the love you have shown to those around you that will be felt beyond your living.
It is the person that you are that you will be remembered for.
And here, I share with you my favourite poem of all time.
First time I read it was in one of the Chicken Soup series when I was 14.
I used to be able to recite it by heart.
When Tomorrow Starts Without Me
by David E. Romano
When tomorrow starts without me,
and I’m not there to see;
If the sun should rise and find your eyes
all filled with tears for me;
I wish so much you wouldn’t cry
the way you did today,
While thinking of the many things
we didn’t get to say.
I know how much you love me,
as much as I love you,
And each time you think of me,
I know you’ll miss me, too.
But when tomorrow starts without me,
please try and understand,
That an angel came and called my name
and took me by the hand,
And said my place was ready
in heaven far above,
And that I’d have to leave behind
all those I dearly love.
But as I turned to walk away,
a tear fell from my eye,
For all my life I’d always thought
I didn’t want to die.
I had so much to live for
and so much yet to do,
It seemed almost impossible
that I am leaving you.
I thought of all the yesterdays,
the good ones and the bad,
I thought of all the love we shared
and all the fun we had.
If I could relive yesterday,
I thought, just for a while,
I’d say good-bye and kiss you
and maybe see your smile.
But then I fully realized
that this could never be.
For emptiness and memories
would take the place of me.
And when I thought of worldly things
that I’d miss come tomorrow,
I thought of you, and when I did,
my heart was filled with sorrow.
But when I walked through heaven’s gates,
I felt so much at home.
When God look down and smiled at me,
from His great golden throne.
He said, “This is eternity
and all I’ve promised you,
Today your life on earth is past,
but here it starts anew.
I promise no tomorrow,
but today will always last,
And since each day’s the same day,
there’s no longing for the past.
But you have been so faithful,
so trusting and so true,
Though there were times you did some things
you knew you shouldn’t do.
But you have been forgiven,
and now at last you’re free.
So won’t you take my hand
and share my life with me?”
So when tomorrow starts without me,
don’t think we’re far apart,
For every time you think of me,
I’m right here in your heart.
Isn’t that such a fantastic poem?
I love it to bits and to say it made me appreciate my parents more would be an understatement.
All my life, I’ve always made it a point to be a good child.
To never take them for granted.
There is never a day that goes by that I don’t tell my mum I love her.
But, right, it’s weird telling my dad that I love him.
But of course I do love him!
I love my parents right to the core of my heart.
Ever since the day my parents left Melbourne when I first arrived, there is never a day that I don’t talk to them.
Everyday, there will be at least three phone calls.
And I do appreciate the fact that they make the effort to keep-in-touch.
And of course, it’s a tradition that I’ll always keep to.
Who ever say long-distance relationships were easy? =P
Another poem that was featured in the book I’m currently reading.
If Tomorrow Never Comes
by Norma Cornett Marek
If I knew it would be the last time that I’d see you fall asleep,
I would tuck you in more tightly, and pray the Lord your soul to keep.
If I knew it would be the last time that I’d see you walk out the door,
I would give you a hug and kiss, and call you back for just one more.
If I knew it would be the last time I’d hear your voice lifted up in praise,
I would tape each word and action, and play them back throughout my days
If I knew it would be the last time, I would spare an extra minute or two,
To stop and say “I love you,” instead of assuming you know I do.
So just in case tomorrow never comes, and today is all I get,
I’d like to say how much I love you, and I hope we never will forget.
Tomorrow is not promised to anyone, young or old alike,
And today may be the last chance you get to hold your loved one tight.
So if you’re waiting for tomorrow, why not do it today?
For if tomorrow never comes, you’ll surely regret the day
That you didn’t take that extra time for a smile, a hug, or a kiss,
And you were too busy to grant someone, what turned out to be their one last wish.
So hold your loved ones close today, and whisper in their ear,
That you love them very much, and you’ll always hold them dear.
Take time to say “I’m sorry,” “Please forgive me,” “thank you” or “it’s okay”.
And if tomorrow never comes, you’ll have no regrets about today.
How so very beautiful is that?
Do appreciate the people around you.
For you never know when the day would come where you’re told you have an hour to live.
And if you were told you have an hour to live,
What would you want to do in that last one hour?
Who would you want by your side?
Would you have told the people you love that you love them in your lifetime?
Would you have any regrets about living your life the way you lived it?
Would you still look at your current problems as though they are really that big?
Honestly, the issues that are bugging me right now.
Ten years from now, I’d look back and say, “Why did they even bother me then?”
And so, the weight on my shoulders has been lifted now.
And I feel like I’m free to love.
And you, yes I love you!
Whoever you are, thanks for reading! =)
Woah, this is like one of the most heartfelt posts I’ve ever written in a long long time!
Savage Garden - Affirmation