What if Tomorrow Never Comes?

Today I saw a beautiful rainbow and I was desperately trying to get a photo with my phone (which has a crappy camera). Someone walked up behind me and said, “you’re so full of yourself, taking selfies!” obviously she hadn’t looked up at the sky and seen the big beautiful rainbow! Yes, I know, we have so many more important things to do that we sometimes forget to look up at the sky.

Work deadlines, worry about the future, financial stress and the niggling fear that something important is slipping through the cracks…. It all creates a jumble of constant narrative in our subconscious that effectively distract us from the present. We don’t see rainbows, or smell raindrops falling unto parched earth and we don’t cherish precious moments spent with loved ones because we neglect to just BE in the moment. What if tomorrow never comes?

Today I learned that a close friend lost her mother, when we spoke on the phone, she was heartbroken. She said she was sad because her son would never know what it feels like to be embraced by his grandmother, but she was also grateful that she had always let her mother know how much she loved her.

I think that those who openly express love and affection are comforted by the conviction that love is eternal.  Love keeps those we love close to us, always in our hearts.   

Each time I see a rainbow it reminds me of how insignificant I am in the grand scheme of things. Rainbows remind me that everything I’ve ever worried about is not as important as it seems, just being in the present is enough. It reminds me that it takes more effort to frown and be angry than it takes to smile and be happy. It reminds me to be present, to enjoy moments of happiness, to listen, and to be grateful for everyone who is willing to listen to me.

Every day is a gift, a fresh start, and a chance to stop and smell the roses and express love before it’s too late. Don’t wait for those you love to depart this earth to say how much you loved them in beautiful verse and song. Bring them flowers today, sing them songs and tell them how much they matter today, what if tomorrow never comes?