This has been an interesting week.

Last Sunday I got a phone call from my sister that my grandpa went into hospital and was not going to make it.  I hoped on a plan and arrived into Calgary late that night.

My mom and I spent the night with him at the hospital and it was a very difficult time.  The whole family got together the next day and we all had a good visit.  Grandpa was back to his grumpy self and was harassing the nursing staff.  This was a very good sign.

It made me thankful that we had a chance to visit and it NOT be around my grandpas DEATH. Though it sucks that he went into the hospital,  but our Monday together was nice because he was ok.  We is it that we always wait until its too late? Why is it that when someone dies we all go to the funeral and regret that we never said good bye, didn’t see them in over a year?!

I always tell people that my father’s gift to my life was his death.  I remember the last time I spoke with him – I told him that I loved him. He said he loved me too.  That memory will stay with me forever. And because of it, I remember to tell the people close to me who much they mean to me at every chance I get.

We can joke about the only sure think in life is death and taxes but seriously – we are all going to die one day.  It doesn’t matter what you believe religiously or spiritually. It doesn’t matter what color your skin or how old you are.  We are all dying.  And none of us have any idea when it will happen.

If someone told you that you had a month to live – would you change your life?  Would you have regrets, who would you call to say “I love you”?  Would you suddenly do things that you had always dreamed of doing?  Its crazy!

My grandpa George died on Thursday Dec 8, 2011. – He was in a lot of pain in the hospital.  He had injured his back, his kidneys where failing and he was having troubles breathing.  I think his heart failed.  I don’t remember what my mom told me – kinda went into a fog.  But really it doesn’t matter.  He is in a better place.  We will all miss him so very much.  He and my grandmother celebrated 60 years of marriage in August.

They had a family; my mom was one of their kids.  Because of him, I am here today.  Because of my grandfather I had 35 years of great memories at Christmas, Easter, birthdays and summer holidays.

My sister made a wonderful point the day he died – in one ward of the hospital, people were dying and on another ward, only a few metres away, babies were being born.   Without death there would b no life.

As my friend Darryl on facebook said “Death sucks!”  but, I commented “…It makes us appreciate life, and  life is beautiful.”

Think for just a moment how your life would change today if you only a month left to live.  Get off your ass and go live!  I hate to be the one to break it to you- we are all dying.  In less than a month from now, you could get hit by a car, mugged on the street or get diagnosed with cancer.

Don’t get me wrong – I plan to live to be 103, but its not really up to me.  When I die, I want people to say that I LIVED.  Lived a life full of fun, adventure, risks, laughter, family and dreams.

Rest in peace grandpa.