I am remembering Kim and how she lived her life.
I attended the funeral services for my younger cousin, Kim over the weekend. Her friends and family gathered to share memories, mourn her absence, celebrate her life, and give gratitude for simply knowing her.
With remembering Kim, I am inspired to take a closer look at my own life. For the past five months I’ve been reading Og Mandino’s The Greatest Salesman in the World. As I get ready to start the 6th scroll with this new month, it seems timely to look back at the first five.
Scroll 5 – I will live this day as if it is my last.
There is nothing like a brain tumor and cancer diagnosis to remind you to live every single day as if it is your last. When Kim’s first tumor was discovered, she was a newlywed. Kim and Todd had been married 3 months, and had been a couple for less than a year. They shared a great love, living each day to the fullest. They had nine years together, living each day as if it was their last, knowing each day is precious, and a gift to be grateful for.
Scroll 4 – I am nature’s greatest miracle.
Despite her challenges, illness, and fears, Kim brought a beautiful miracle into this world through her body!
Kim birthed a beautiful, healthy boy named Zack!
If that doesn’t speak of miracles, I don’t know what does.
Scroll 3 – I will persist until I succeed. I will persist. I will win.
Kim’s husband, Todd, shared a quote from the late great ESPN broadcaster
Stuart Scott about battling cancer: “I’m fighting, I’m not losing. When you die it does not mean you lose the battle against cancer, you beat cancer by how you live, why you live, and the manner in which you live.”
Kim persisted in this life. She played. She helped others. She was kind. She laughed. She loved. She was courageous. The manner in which she lived her life, persisting each moment, made her a winner.
Scroll 2 – I will greet this day with love in my heart.
Scroll 2 – I will greet this day with love in my heart.Kim was an optimist. She loved to laugh. She shared her love with her family and friends daily, often.
She greeted each day with love in her heart. I will do the same.
Scroll 1 – Today I begin a new life.
I mourn the loss I feel on this earth, however, I also celebrate Kim’s new life in Heaven and I follow her example. Today I begin a new life. I shed my old skin, releasing fear, anger, guilt, hurt feelings, unworthiness, and negativity to live a life of courage, kindness, gratitude, and love, just like Kim.
I proclaim that
- Today I begin a new life.
- I will greet this day with love in my heart.
- I will persist until I succeed.
- I am nature’s greatest miracle.
- I will live this day as if it is my last.
