Today would have been my brother-in-law, John's 85th birthday. I would have already sent him a 'cute' card with an appropriate message and he would be thanking us for 'thinking of him'. Instead, we are simply remembering him in our hearts. No communication, only thoughts and prayers. We saw him at Christmas last year and although thin, he looked good. His spirits were good and he had mellowed. Age does that...so does illness to many people. Within a month, he had passed away from this world to glory. 

Nine months later, we were praying for his wife as she suffered a heart incident. Two times she ended up in the hospital, and although she has been discharged, she has slowed down and she too has mellowed. 

Time marches on. There is a saying that 'Time waits for no man', He catches each one of us. Some of us are prepared, others are not. Some are surprised, others have been waiting. To say that one should make the most of each day is an understatement. I think we all know that. We try to remember it and practice making the most of it but usually each day 'ticks by' without us recognizing its importance. 

I know some people who have been together for a long time but may now give up trying. I know some others who say that marriage requires constant work and when we lapse in our efforts to keep it working, we end up with more trouble. The daily grind...or the opportunity to make it better. It's all in our attitude.

I read an interesting quote the other day which I have now written out and will try to remember (daily)...
The essence of gospel-humility is not thinking more of myself or thinking less of myself, it is thinking of myself less. Self-less. I wonder if I can do that better and in so doing, make life easier for me and all those around me. It's worth a try. 
(Reference: Tim Keller: The Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness)