Smokin Sevens

Personal mile markers are scattered along everyone’s road of life.  These mark important events that define who we are and build the lens through which we view our world.  Each life has the typical markers that come with the same consistency as the seasons in Kansas.  On the other hand there are markers whose timing is not timed well at all, yet they give off the greatest reflection.

Do we notice when these items arrive?  Likely, yes.  A better question here is do we see these times coming?  Sometimes yes and sometimes no.  That being said, if we do see them coming then why do we ignore their significance?

My Uncle Larry has been fighting a cocktail of medical problems that includes one part heart problems, one part broken bones, one part aplastic anemia, and one part impending leukemia.  A nasty little concoction of life’s cruelty served up to a person who never ordered any part of that drink.  Larry is a young man in an old body that is coming up hard on the final mile marker in his life.

Does he see it coming?  I believe so. 

Do I see it coming?  I must since I am writing this story.

Have I adjusted my own life to make way for the knowledge of what is happening in his?  Not enough.

Why is that?  I am not sure that one answer covers that question adequately.  It is a combination of being in a comfortable routine and being too self-centered to allow the interruption.  It is part denial.  It is partly a perceived lack of time due to responsibilities.

Are any of those good answers?  On the surface perhaps.  Ask the same question of the heart and the answer is no.

Time is running short for a loved one and my heart is breaking while my head is trying to negotiate a settlement.

I will try to remember to call tomorrow when I get a chance.  The call never comes.

I will be sure to make the trip back home to visit this weekend.  My car never leaves town.

The clock is ticking and that mile marker is coming up fast.  It’s looming out his windshield and there is something shining brightly outside of mine.