A Few More Moments

I had a conversation in the bookstore the other night with a couple about my age…the husband is battling prostrate cancer…it’s in its final stage. He’s undergoing a new radium infusion therapy…having endured chemotherapy and radiation’s rays…and they were pleased to announce this was the first time he’d been out of the house in days. “We’re hoping this therapy gives me a little more time.” He said and his wife readily agreed. “Because,” and here he smiled, “there’s a few more books I’d like to read.” He bought a couple of books…his wife put them in her sack…and he smiled at me as they slowly walked away saying, “God willing…I’ll be back.” As I watched them walk away I thought…what a different world we see… when we come face to face…with our own mortality. I imagine when we’re looking at the end…when we know we’re living our final days…what’s important to us rises to the top…while what isn’t slips away. I imagine we might wish for one more moment…when we know our life will be over soon…to make more footprints in the sand…or gaze up at the moon. One more moment to hug our family…to look into their eyes…one more moment just to wake up and see one more sun begin to rise. That’s what I found myself wishing for this man…as he faded from my sight Hoping he’ll have more moments….as for his life he fights. I know in the time he has left…there’s nothing he will overlook… and I’m hoping he has a few more moments…to read a few more books.