Alive? Be thankful.

So, this weekend was an interesting one. It started on Thursday, really, when I found out that my good friend Matt's grandmother passed away. I wanted to go to the funeral, but it ended up not working out. I sent flowers and my deepest condolences. Last night mom told me that one of me good friends growing up lost her mother on Friday to a freak heart attack. Just goes to show that you never know what's going to happen.


Another ending... Millie closed this weekend amid tears and laughter. Sunday's closing performance was probably one of the best shows in the entire run. There's nothing quite like the nervous excitement of opening night, but closing night is a unique mixture of desperation, sadness and relief. In every show there is a love-hate relationship with one or more elements of the production. Whether it's the director, costumes, fellow actors, set, etc. there is always someone, somewhere complaining about something. On closing night, all of these griefs are cast aside to make way for last minute pictures, bonding and a last ditch effort to throw oneself into their role with such gusto that has not been present since opening night (if at all).

It seems as though we take not only our lives for granted, but many things within them as well. Even though we know everything will come to an end, we don't realize how much we take for granted. Closing night of a show is a perfect example.

The cast has rehearsed for months with plenty of time for character development and exploration and yet, some sit on their haunches and go through the motions, not planning on "acting" until opening night. The show runs for 3 months and they figure "I've got time". Inevitably, closing week comes and there is a sudden rush of desire for character development and "adding" to the show... Too little too late. The classic mourning of a show encased in "why didn't I think of this 5 months ago?" can also be applied to some lives.

We all know we're going to die but, unlike in a show, we have no idea when our final curtain will fall. Until then, don't put off the things that you really want to accomplish, don't hesitate to tell those around you that you love them and, for heaven's sake, use your good china not just on "special" occasions.

Find something special about today.

After all, what are we waiting for?