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A Letter From Your Grave To You (5472 hits)

It's gut check time again. Same rules: If you are not ready to explore your inner feelings and beliefs...leave now...don't read another word!

AS ALWAYS YOU'VE BEEN WARNED
------ Part XV- I Choose Life

I recently had someone compliment me that…”I wish I could live as richly as you do”.

You see I plan as if I will live forever…but I live as if I will die tomorrow. If there are things I want to see or explore…I go see and explore them. If I have to choose between some mundane event like watching a baseball game on TV and watching my kids play together…I pick spending time with the kids. But I wasn’t always like this…

I have been blessed to have experienced multiple near-death experiences. Yup, I said blessed to experience near death.

When your life is seemingly about to end, you realize that there are many things that you wish you had gone differently. When you walk away from an event where others have been laid to rest…you tend to see things just a wee bit differently.

The flowers are prettier. The ants seem more interesting. The night sky’s color are far more fascinating…when you thought you’d never see them again. Hugs become longer and kisses more valuable than gold and diamonds.

The sound of my father’s voice bring tears to my eyes. The smell of my mother’s hair warms my heart. The taste of my favorite meal is more filling. You see…I have been given…loaned if you will…one more day. A few more hours to get it right before death calls me home. I have a couple more seconds to love wholeheartedly, play harder, laugh deeper, caress softer, enjoy smells more thoughtfully, and see wonders with amazement.

I wish this letter could promise you eternal life. But I cannot. This Blog serves as an awakening and a warning. For death is waiting for you too! Years, months, days, seconds are all you have left.

What would you do if you knew you would die later today or tomorrow?
____________________________________________________________________

1. Would you find that high school love and tell them that they were your secret motivation to become the person you are today?
2. Would you hold your daughter a little longer before she heads out the door?
3. Would you finally put a ring on the love of your life’s finger?
4. Would you call little man and tell him that no matter what…Daddy loves him?
5. Would you track down the daughter you haven’t seen in years and say…”I miss you”?
6. Would you keep that chick on the side…or make her the one?
7. Would that car taking your parking spot….really ruin your day?
8. Would you thank the man/woman who empties your trash…or offer a kind word and smile?
9. Would you fight a little harder to give your children a racism free America?
10. What would you tell the stranger about his/ her potential?
11. Would you continue to work at that place?
12. Would you stay with and forgive him/her…on your last precious day?
13. Would you call your mother and/or father (even if you’re not speaking) and say…”I love you”?
14. Would you…could you live richer?
____________________________________________________________________

Oh yeah, one more question…

How do you know that you won’t die later today or tomorrow?

You’ve been warned…make that change before it’s too late.

Posted By: Dr. Ahmad Glover
Tuesday, September 9th 2008 at 11:04AM
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complete my relationship with my god, YAHAWED, GOD of our father Abraham.
Tuesday, September 9th 2008 at 11:57AM
phil marlow

You know you make me wanna shout!!! Thank you!
Tuesday, September 9th 2008 at 12:03PM
Michelle Diane

If only we lived like your letter suggested, but sadly we will read your words... be shocked and do nothing. Just last night i had to "verbally correct" the attitude of my son that I have not seen in over 15 months. And BIA it hurt me to my soul to hear him crying!!!! He's 15 and looks up to me, dayum it hurts now just typing this.... Right now I could say, be the best Chritain, Jew, Mulim, Hindu, Buddist or whatever on the planet... But right now! Right Now this moment I would gladly die if i knew my kids knew how much their father loved them!!!!! I've served 20 years and would lay it down to "protect" America... but for my kids... there would be no hesitation in me doing all that I had to do to save them... SO to Kayla Chaylse Gulley, Gregory Darnell Gulley II, Yavni Symone Gulley, Kentre Laurice Horton, and Jared Flyod Horton.... Daddy loves you
Tuesday, September 9th 2008 at 12:11PM
GREGORY GULLEY

Thanks. Actually it's a great sermon idea.
Tuesday, September 9th 2008 at 12:18PM
Dr. J. Elisha Burke

Greg,

Cherish every moment...the good and the bad. For each second that you are blessed to exist with them is a gift. If you show them love through all times, all situations and live as if these are your final/finest hours...they'll know that Daddy loves them...

Tuesday, September 9th 2008 at 12:23PM
Dr. Ahmad Glover

This is a very profound thought for those who take life for granted. As for me I would have to agree with Phil. I have to get things in order with God, to make sure I do not fall short of the glory.
Tuesday, September 9th 2008 at 1:33PM
Cheryl Hendrix

Alright, Doc...I done figured you out and I ain't skurd of ya no mo...teehee.

Now, first let me preface my response by saying that I literally lost my mind. Sat on that dang Jordan River with my ancestors watching my life surf by as waves....Too afraid to cross bc of those skeletons in dat murky water, you feel me?

I made it back on dis side of Jordan with that same zeal and renewed appeciation for life, too. Found my purpose in those waves, too. The flowers get my attention now. The colors of life get my attention. I see God in everything, even you challenging my mental capacities even though I vowed NO MORE SCHOOL. I think we all have earned our Ph.D.'s fooling wit ya...LOL!

Ok...here I go:

1. Would you find that high school love and tell them that they were your secret motivation to become the person you are today?

Hell, no. I divorced him and was blessed sevenfold!

2. Would you hold your daughter a little longer before she heads out the door?

Yep.

3. Would you finally put a ring on the love of your life’s finger?

Nope. I can wait. Got stuff (purpose) to do. Smile.

4. Would you call little man and tell him that no matter what…Daddy loves him?

children/yep, mama loves y'all.

5. Would you track down the daughter you haven’t seen in years and say…”I miss you”?

Got her on time out right now and it's only been 11 days. She knows it's tough love. Smile.

6. Would you keep that chick on the side…or make her the one?

opposite s*x. No. No. Not interested.

7. Would that car taking your parking spot….really ruin your day?

Nope. Love to walk.

8. Would you thank the man/woman who empties your trash…or offer a kind word and smile?

Yep.

9. Would you fight a little harder to give your children a racism free America?

Yep.

10. What would you tell the stranger about his/ her potential?

Keep God first. Pursue your dreams with zeal. Then reach back.

11. Would you continue to work at that place?

School. Absolutely.

12. Would you stay with and forgive him/her…on your last precious day?

Forgive? Absolutely. Stay? Depends on the issue.

13. Would you call your mother and/or father (even if you’re not speaking) and say…”I love you”?

Yep.

14. Would you…could you live richer?

In Jesus Christ, Definitely.

Tuesday, September 9th 2008 at 1:38PM
agnes levine

I sure hope if death comes today, I have pleased God. But I will beg for His mercy and grace no matter what.
Tuesday, September 9th 2008 at 1:39PM
agnes levine

Very, Very, powerful ! ! ! I feel you, I have face multiple near-death experienced several times, and It do tend make you to see things just a wee bit differently.

1. Would you find that high school love and tell them that they were your secret motivation to become the person you are today? ( I did)
2. Would you hold your daughter a little longer before she heads out the door? (I do)
3. Would you finally put a ring on the love of your life’s finger? (I did)
4. Would you call little man and tell him that no matter what…Daddy loves him? ( I have )
5. Would you track down the daughter you haven’t seen in years and say…”I miss you”? ( don't have to, see her all the time)
6. Would you keep that chick on the side…or make her the one? ( nope)
7. Would that car taking your parking spot….really ruin your day? ( not at all now)
8. Would you thank the man/woman who empties your trash…or offer a kind word and smile? ( Yes )
9. Would you fight a little harder to give your children a racism free America? ( I do every day Yes )
10. What would you tell the stranger about his/ her potential? ( Yes I do it now )
11. Would you continue to work at that place? ( Yes , at what I'm doing now)
12. Would you stay with and forgive him/her…on your last precious day? ( Yes )
13. Would you call your mother and/or father (even if you’re not speaking) and say…”I love you”? ( Yes )
14. Would you…could you live richer? ( Yes )
15. How do you know that you won’t die later today or tomorrow? ( I don't )
Tuesday, September 9th 2008 at 3:05PM
Sam Bateman

I just went to a funeral on Friday. I lost a close friend of ovarian cancer, she was only 23. That was the 4th funeral I went to this year. I definitely have been looking at life differently. I really don't know what to say right now, I'm still in disbelief about my friend cuz we grew up together. I will say this though, love. Just love. And whatever your religion is, study it and display it.
Tuesday, September 9th 2008 at 3:05PM
chivonne lawson

CL,

We are so sorry for your loss.

YES...LOVE Sweet Love! As well, believe and know what/why you believe. And most important, live life!

Let most of you, I've seen so many folks pass. I hate the feeling of wishing there was one more thing I could do with the person laying in that box. O worse, knowing there was something we left unsaid or undone. We should treat each and every day like we are stealing one more hour...to make things right. As if there are only a few more moments to enjoy the sweet sounds of the voice of a dear friend or loved one.

Plan as if you will live forever...but live, live live as if you will die tomorrow!

Tuesday, September 9th 2008 at 3:22PM
Dr. Ahmad Glover

You're right...Tomorrow is not promised and I can't say that I do everything on the list, but I try to. Great post and these words said it all.

"I plan as if I will live forever…but I live as if I will die tomorrow"
Tuesday, September 9th 2008 at 4:54PM
Emmanuel Brown

Congratulations! This article is featured in Just Sayin
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Join Just Sayin
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Tuesday, September 9th 2008 at 7:57PM
Michelle Diane

Wow. Very thought-provoking. It really makes me re-organize my priorities, as of right now.
Thank you for this Gut-Check.
Tuesday, September 9th 2008 at 8:15PM
zondra hughes

When you read it ask yourself do you believe in what is written or do you ignore the real hope for mankind by having your own opinion ?
rev: 21:4And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.”
Wednesday, September 10th 2008 at 10:31AM
Linda Danet

I am so glad that I am here one more year and one more day( well half of the day is over EST). Yesterday was my birthday 09/10 and it was wonderful. I too have had 2 actual near death experiences and they put some things in proper perspective for me. Some say it changed me and I have even been called bourgeiose or "boogee" but it was the near death experiences that compelled and propelled me to handle some of the goals, and objectives to reach potential and PURPOSES of this life. Now the last year has brought me an even greater surprise in that I had my daughter(which I always wanted) so here I sit with a son who is in his second year of college and a daughter who is in daycare. The experience bombed me out at first for I was on a Career Path headed straight for Stardom now I see the beauty of GOD's generosity towards me for he spoke to a dry situation and out of it sprang a well of life"literally" I am happy. I can honestly admit I have a few people places and things that I need to make right or get right for I had to shut everyone out to get to where I needed to be (that mentality isn't right). I have often apologize to those I didn't harm or who should have been apologizing to me so I stopped apologizing and felt happy about that. I guess what I am saying is I am so grateful to be here and this blog is so thought provoking that I have areas that need to be worked on "immediately". Although I have accomplished many goals from putting away personal foolishness, I picked up other behaviors and habits I do not need to carry with me to MY GRAVE Who knows how many more opportunities I will have to write a Letter from the GRAVE this may be an ongoing process for me
Thursday, September 11th 2008 at 1:13PM
Brynda Saunders-Winston

Oh my god sooooooo very deep if nothing else and It may just be that it applys to me soooooo much either way it was extreamly heart warming..... as if you wrote it directly to me!
Saturday, September 13th 2008 at 1:11PM
darinesha ray