Life Lessons Come When You Least Expect Them...

I spoke to one of my closest friends today and she shared that one of her friends, L, had been in a medically-induced coma all weekend following her collapse on Friday after having chest pains. Apparently her husband gave her CPR and was able to revive her, but it then took the paramedics 40 minutes to stabilize her before transferring her to the hospital, and she flatlined twice in the ambulance. The doctors still aren't completely sure what happened, although they suspect she might have suffered an aortic tear, which normally is fatal. (This is what killed John Ritter and Rent creator Jonathan Larson.)

We then talked for a while about how L's husband would be lost if she were to die, as they were high school sweethearts. And she also expressed regret that she didn't speak to L this week, adding that L didn't have a bad bone in her body.

As I pondered this sad event, I realized once again how important it is to live life to the fullest each day, and to never take anything—or anyone—for granted. I know I'm not alone in getting upset over petty things, or worrying about things I can't control.

I also was reminded of one of Garth Brooks' earliest songs, If Tomorrow Never Comes. The chorus talks about whether or not his wife would know how much he loved her if tomorrow never came, and then the song reinforced this lesson:

Tell that someone that you love
Just what you're thinking of
If tomorrow never comes

My prayers go to L and her family, and all those who care about them. I hope that her condition isn't as grave as they fear, and that she's ultimately able to recover. And I hope that this may help me remember not to stand on ceremony with people and tell them how I feel when I feel it, because you never know when you won't have another chance.