Monday, April 03, 2006

What Does Anything Mean, Basically?

That's how I'm feeling tonight, although those of you In The Know will recognize the title as belonging to The Chameleons' second LP. It is technically Monday but as I'm still rocking through a late Sunday night, to me it's still Sunday.

You can look at all the headlines you want on BuzzFlash, or surf over to CraigsList and look for a job, or Ebay for things you don't need but you can't help collecting because you're a pack rat with disposable income, but sometimes the realization hits that it is all a bunch of background radiation. Static. Distraction.

My stepfather Dan died today after a battle with cancer.

He had been fighting his cancer for about 5 years now and had some successes along the way but ultimately it claimed his life. I've known him for 20 years now. It's amazing how someone crossing over into the next life can set your mind back to Reset.

What does any of this shit in Iraq mean? What difference does it make what the radio jabbermouths are saying about immigration? Is global warming going to cause the end of the earth? Or even more inane, all of the celebrity-sphere, TV land, popstar worship: it's so shallow and pathetic.

All I know is that there are many more important things to do with your time than to spend it watching TV or worrying about your appearance or reading the latest gossip or trying to outmaneouvre your political opponents. Take some time to contact someone you haven't had a good talk with lately. Just call them up outta the blue and spend half an hour talking. These are the moments you will wish you spent more wisely.

My stepfather was a kind, decent, gentle soul. I will miss him, but when he was here, did I take enough time to really find out about him? No. I let the opportunity go. And now he's gone. I hope the afterlife is what he was expecting it to be. I do believe there is another world after this one, so I don't truly believe death is the end. But it sure is a sobering experience, and part of what it means to be human is to consider the ultimate separation from your friends and family and how to prepare for it. It's never easy.

At least my stepfather's passing gave us enough time for everyone to say their goodbyes and to come to terms with what was going on. So although I now feel an emptiness where he once occupied space in my mind and soul, I know on another level that the soul is eternal and we'll see him again on the other side.

Take some time tomorrow, just to get your head up and look around and remember that your time here is limited, that someday everyone you know will die, and that there is hope after death.

See you on the other side.