I'll See You When I See You

Imagine someone you know. What would you do with that person if they only had a day left to live? Week? Year? Imagine that person already left, and you didn't know the last time you saw him would be the very last time. What do you wish you did? 

My grandfather is 90 years old. I think he's ninety, anyway. He's been ninety for about 3 years now, as Chinese aging goes. He has a clean bill of health, has complete control over all his mental and physical faculties. But who knows how much longer he has? I feel like I should get to know him more, but every day, I'm so busy, and my schedule doesn't line up with his sleep schedule. Excuses? Perhaps. I think, if I knew he only had a month left to live, I would want to hear his stories. He's actually been on a lot of adventures in his youth; fascinating stories that you'd never guess he had by looking at him.

I think everyone has a fascinating story lying somewhere beneath the surface. 

Then I think about my friends. Some whom I haven't seen in weeks, months, years. What if I never see them again? What do I wish I could have done with them? One last night on the town, building memories that will last a lifetime? Just sit and soak in the person's essence, burning into memory her laugh, his smile? Wish I could take back that final, awkward goodbye side-hug? 

I want to learn to cherish people more.