For Granted.......

This morning, I read the news that James Gandolfini died of a heart attack yesterday while on vacation in Italy.  This was a shocker to me.  He was a most known for his role as Tony Soprano in the HBO Original Series, "The Sopranos."  Not only was he EXCELLENT in this series, he also played amazing roles as "Winston" the homosexual hitman, in "The Mexican; "Mickey" the washed up, depressed, and out of control hitman, in "Killing Them Softly; and the Mayor of New York in "The Taking of Pelham 123."  These are just a few of his standout roles for me.  As I think of how shocked I was to read this morning's news of his death, I asked myself, "why?"  Why are you so shocked, Bryan??

Although we know death is real and is coming for each and every one of us, it's never expected.  I took Mr. Gandolfini's life for granted, just as I often take my own life for granted.  We all do.  We all think we have more time than we may actually have, and we tend to life in reflection of this.  Procrastination has been my personal issue since middle school.  I fight it everyday and suck at it.  I know that my days under the sun are limited, but I, like many of you, fail to make the best of every minute of life.  True, not one of us is perfect, but I'd be willing to bet that we all have fallen short, a time or two, in maxing out our days, under the sun. 

Knowing that someone has lived their life to the fullest, maxing out their days, their potential, their gifts, and abilities gives us peace in the time of his/her death.  Am I at peace, right now, with my life?  Certain aspects, yes.  Overall, not completely.  There is so much I have to do, catch up on, and accomplish.  So, my heart and my mind are not at total ease. 

There is SO MUCH that we all take for granted, thinking we can get to it tomorrow, but we all know for a fact that tomorrow is not promised to any of us.  If we see another day, it is by God's grace ALONE!!  I pray that God be with the family of Mr. Gandolfini, bringing them peace, strength and understanding in their time of mourning and need.  I pray that his life was one that God smiles upon. Amen.