Life is Long
A few days
ago I met a man from Egypt. He was disguised
as my driver, but he really was philosopher. We engaged in polite chit-chat
and he asked me questions
about my life and family.
As I shared
with him, I could feel myself going back to the day my children arrived and the
struggles we have gone through together.
He told me
about his daughter who he sees three days a week. He said that he had hopes for
a life with her mother but then everything changed. He spoke more about change and
then I told him the secret that he had been sent to extract;
“Life is
long,” I told him. He brought the car to an unexpected stop and turned completely
around.
“What did
you say?” He asked. I shook my head and told him the truth he had released and
repeated what I had just remembered, “Life is long.”
He told me
that everyone says it’s short and I told him that it’s because they are not
truly living it. We get stuck in reverse and think that everything is moving
fast but we are just staying in one spot.
When you move forward, mindful of all
that is around us, life becomes much longer.
I told him
that I was 52; that I’d lived a big life and more keeps on coming. He told me I
looked much younger and I told him that it’s because life is long.
He smiled,
turned around and put the car back in drive. From his rear view mirror I could
see his eyes smiling back at me and I returned the favor.
“You are
wise beyond your years”, he said and then just before leaving me at my
destination he told me what he knew.
“You are correct, life is long; use
every moment wisely.”
He hugged me
and I felt I knew him. In that brief moment, I thought of all the drivers I’d
ridden with, some I had spoken to, others I had not. I thought of early morning
shuttles and hotel vans. I thought of getting back home to my children who
always seemed taller and smarter with each reunion. I thought of the lives I’ve
touched and those that have touched mine and I stood there in gratitude for the
truth.
Yes, life is long.
Live every moment fully,
mindfully, respecting the space and time you occupy.
Be you, be well, live
long.
Bertice Berry, PhD.
What a beautifully, ,touching prose my Beloved! Thank you for this blessing! I needed it today.
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