When I first started writing this blog, I told you it may be about all kinds of subjects.  I guess I never thought this would be one of them.  I write this blog post with a somewhat heavy heart.  I just read an update on a customer of mine who is currently fighting cancer.  Seems there has been another bump in the road.  I don't want to say too much about the person's medical problems, but I do want to say something about the man himself.

I have many regular customers and this particular one, we'll call him S for the sake of privacy, has been one of my favorites.  He has been a regular customer since I first opened.  He always comes in with a smile and an encouraging word.  He even took me fishing twice!  Let me tell you, my arm was actually sore when I came back from that trip!  It was a lot of fun though.  How could you not have fun flying down a river at about 50 mph on a boat?!

We have gotten to know one another from his visits to the store.  We have talked about everything from politics to good manners while fishing, but never the conversations we have had lately.  You see, S has a new way to view life.  He has told me that he is thankful that he has the time he has.  He is able to spend each day with his family, friends, and most importantly God.  He has a gratefulness that many people don't.  Each day is a gift to him.

I need that kind of attitude.  I am so wrapped up in everyday life that I don't have time to enjoy the really important things.  I know that possessions are not priorities, but neither are things like- my store, meetings I need to attend, etc...  The main priorities are God and family.  I don't think I see them the way S does right now and I should.  A couple years ago, Tim McGraw sang a song that became quite popular, you may have heard of it, Live Like You Were Dying.  In it he sings these lyrics:

And I loved deeper,
And I spoke sweeter,
And I gave forgiveness I've been denying

As I say a prayer for S tonight, I think I'll also ask God to help me to remember just what those words mean.