Caesura
A friend's husband died suddenly this past weekend, a heart attack claimed him without any prior warning. He was around my own age; they had been married only a short time, a year or so; she had just taken a new position so they were considering a move to NYC. I am at that certain age where my friends and acquaintances will die with increasing frequency — it is the nature of the world.
And as such things will, it has given me pause. We sail through the uncharted world in ships of our own design, our wakes affecting the course of the vessels around us. Some choose to steam ahead with a singular goal in sight, while others are adrift, moved only by the actions of others and of the unfathomable tide. Some sail slowly and cautiously forward, choosing their path with consideration for those around them, and the choices they've made.
How many dreams do you sacrifice for the comfort of those you care about? Where is the balance struck between the gentle peace of having redressed — even in the tiniest ways — the injustices of the world, and the melancholy view of the faded tapestry of your own joy? When does the hour pass from "too soon" to "too late"?
3 Comments:
Sorry to hear about your friend's husband. I know what it's like to lose a loved one unexpectedly.
Regarding your post's ending...
Regret is a sort of 'cancer' that in its own way can kill a person if they let it and only their attitude makes the difference. The act of sacrificing (dreams or otherwise) is a part of compromising. Without compromise, what would this world be like? I think most people would say that the words 'sacrifice' and 'compromise' have a negative conotation, but I think that as long as a person doesn't sacrifice or compromise to the point where they become resentful, they'll be fine. People who never sacrifice or compromise are typicaly cold-hearted, self-centered people.
I, for one, believe it's rarely "too late" for anything. If you truly want something, you'll find a way to make it happen, if you don't... you'll make excuses.
I'm so sorry for you and your friend's loss. I am sure it must hit close to home for you. ((hugs))
I am a drifter, going where the winds and currents take me. They just seem to have stalled for a while...
I've read this post three times over the past several days, and the best I can come up with is a quotation by Stephen Batchelor: "Since death alone is certain, but its time uncertain, what should I do?"
Sorry for the loss of your friend.
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