I live my life- as I imagine most of us do- working, loving, enjoying, commiserating, and rejoicing with my friends, family, and colleagues around me. When I do think of those who are no longer in my daily circle, because of geographical distance, different paths, or changed attitudes, I think of them somewhere in the world, going about their own lives, carrying on as always. Hopefully having a good life wherever and whatever they are doing.
And then one day, I get an email, or see on a social media post, that one of those people has passed away. I wasn’t close, hadn’t even had contact in years, but still feel bereft. Had she been ill? For how long? Or was she in accident, or had a heart attack? I don’t know. How could I as we had fallen out of touch.
But once maybe fifteen years ago, we had spoken frequently. We shared a similar passion for advocacy of marginalized people—she ran a non-profit committed to their welfare; I made documentaries drawing attention to their plight. Through social media I kept apprised as to what she was doing. Maybe 6 months or a year ago, she stepped down as President. I didn’t think much of it, she was not a young person, and she was certainly deserving of a less hectic, often emotionally challenging life. Now I wonder…
This website, Mincha Moment: Taking Time to Be Grateful wasn’t created to offer daily, monthly, or even yearly epiphanies. What it was designed to (hopefully) do is to remind us all, to take time and be grateful for every moment we have. The little ones and the big ones. Not only don’t you know how many more you or any of your loved ones have—each moment is its own bubble of joyfulness to fill a lifetime. Reconnect with an old friend, embrace your lover, fondle, and comb your cats- not necessarily in that order. Be grateful.
