grief taught me to pay attention

Like my parents, my breaths are numbered. Every second counts. I want to be a better witness to the swirling masterpiece being painted around me.

Today is National Grief Awareness Day. This wild ride we are all on together here on Earth is full of so many riddles - but none bigger than grief.

I was at both of my parents bedside as they shed their mortal skin and back into light. To watch a person who has taken 600+ million breaths in their lives take their final one is a transformative event to being able to witness.

In each case I remember thinking how many breaths of their I had taken for granted. I felt this tidal wave of regret wash over me for letting so many of the moments we had spent together slip by without me recognizing what a miracle it is to love another person.

These duel experiences changed my life. Not only in how I look at the relationships I have with the people in my life - but in how I experience the world.