Seize the day ... and other quotes.

First, the health related news ... Amanda has completed all treatment options at this point, and we are now utilizing hospice care as needed.

And now ... for the really important stuff ...
Amanda is a pro at getting the most out of every day. When I grow up, I want to be like her.

Today it was with her good friend Lydia ... going out to eat at Applebee's and then just hanging out this afternoon. I was reminded of the quote ... "Spend the afternoon. You can't take it with you." ~Annie Dillard

As I sat here thinking about this day, and the well known and oft repeated phrase, Carpe diem, I decided to check into it a little further. It is actually a phrase from a latin poem by Horace, roughly translated meaning to enjoy or make use of the day as much as possible. A more complete version of the phrase says, "Seize the day, trusting as little as possible in the future." The reason is because the future is unknowable.

Which reminds me of another quote ... actually it's an African proverb as I recall ... "No one knows the story of tomorrow's dawn."

And then of course there are multiple bible verses speaking to this ... probably the most often quoted would be, "So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:34

And I don't want to leave out a dear friend who is Jewish ... he would quote Hillel, saying, "And if not now, when?"

While I am speaking of "Seize the day," I will leave you with a funny story that illustrates making the most of an opportunity.
* * *
A young soldier and his commanding officer got on a train together. The only available seats were across from an attractive young woman who was traveling with her grandmother. As they engaged in pleasant conversation, the soldier and the young woman kept eyeing one another; the attraction was obviously mutual.

Suddenly the train went into a tunnel and the car became pitch black. Immediately two sounds were heard: the "smack" of a kiss, and the "whack" of a slap across the face.

The grandmother thought "I can't believe he kissed my granddaughter, but I'm glad she gave him the slap he deserved."

The commanding officer thought, "I don't blame the boy for kissing the girl, but it's a shame that she missed his face and hit me instead."

The young girl thought, "I'm glad he kissed me, but I wish my grandmother hadn't slapped him for doing it."

And as the train broke into the sunlight, the soldier could hardly wipe the smile off his face. He had just seized the opportunity to kiss a pretty girl and slap his commanding officer ... and had gotten away with both!
* * *
Be well,
larry