Life’s Curveballs and Other Observations

One never knows what life can throw at anyone. Take for example the young Florida man who was swallowed up by a sinkhole. It’s one of the more than 1001 things that no one can predict. Indeed we are told to life live to its fullest every second of the day, but I confess that in all of the daily madness, I forget that piece of advice.

Life throws curveballs at us just like the weather. No one knows what to expect in March. One day it’s spring and the next, it could be The Storm of the Century, which we experienced in the Atlanta metro area 20 years ago this month. March, the month of my birthday, is a wild ride.

No matter where I was when I celebrated my early March birthday, it was either sunny and balmy or snowy and windy outside. Within a few days this year, we have seen a potpourri of weather from a spring-like afternoon - where I was able to get a five-mile run in against the strong winds  - to waking up to a slight-snow-dusted lawn. I was born in the wee hours of an icy March day. My parents had a minor fender bender on the way to the hospital. Nearly 20 years later, my little Toyota and me fell off the road on an icy dark night. It’s no wonder that I hate to even try to drive on the ice to this day.

Yes, one never knows when life will throw any of us a curveball. Certainly we’re conscious of the risks when flying or going for a drive. But, who could have predicted a driver slamming into a Utah smoke shop recently? Luckily the intoxicated driver did not harm anyone, but that incident could have turned into a tragedy. A driver crashing into a shop is most likely not on the mind of what could have happened to that business owner.

So as I’m thinking of life’s curveballs, I’m back to thinking about turning another year older this week. I’m not so much thinking about living life to its fullest each minute, but rather attempting to savor the moment. Perhaps it’s a watered-down version of carpe diem, but I will be celebrating the day with loved ones and cherishing the moments that I have with them.

There’s some type of accomplishment and pride in celebrating birthdays. That’s why it’s hard for me to understand why there are many folks out there who would rather forget their birthdays. Also, it’s heartwarming to receive the “Happy Birthday” greetings in person and on the social networks. The best part about the birthday is that I have an incredibly talented daughter who does amazing things for me each year and I am so grateful. This year, she worked ahead of the actual day and created an original birthday card, produced a video and arranged to take me out for a nice lunch. I learned this year that I’m blessed and that I need to seize the moment even more. Yes, this is just me pondering getting another year older in a weather roller coaster week.