22 July 2010
By Philippe Dulawan
THE FRAGILITY OF LIFE…
Over the last week there have been some high impact incidents that have morphed some of my outlook on life, revealing how flimsy and how quick life can be. The fractions of seconds that can turn life on its head. In addition there has just been gentle reminders of the kinder things in life, although all pointing to the fact, as I have said recently the limited/short time we have on this earth before we move over to the next.
On Mondays, I play in a touch football comp with some of my siblings, cousins and friends. Last Monday it was a typical night, very cold. So the game got underway and only 3 mins in we were a chance of scoring, with my cousin on the wing diving for a try! Without anyone touching him he didn't get up, what seemed like an innocuous challenge was turning into a major sports injury. After waiting 45 mins for a ambulance that didn't come we transported him from the field to Blacktown hospital with great difficulty! After waiting a few hours in the emergency ward the verdict was this: a double fracture to the fibula, which was displaced, a dislocated ankle and a torn medial ligament! My cousin who has just finished his personal training course and was looking forward to being active and just having a game of touch footy will now have to have a plastered cast on his legs over the next 2-3 months! We were grateful that in this country of ours we do have access to medical attention, that bones can be healed and there should be no lasting damage once a full recovery is made.
The second more calm situation was simply talking to my Lola and lola (my grandparents) who are around 70 years of age. Just visiting them after a night out and having simple conversations of them reminiscing about a time that has passed, where my mum was my age and faced with similar challenges. The conversation as it often does with my grandparents is reflective and exciting seeing some of the differences between our generations, from times of Japanese occupations, to walking to school and other exploits. My Lola especially is aware that the Lord may call for her at any time and this is a surreal notion to even contemplate that she may depart...
These two incidents have exposed the fragility of life, where there is no certainty, where something so simple can change our life. We are not invincible, we don't have unlimited time and we must make the most of our short time to follow the example the Lord has set. Who knows when he will call upon us, we should be ready and living out his mission/calling for us at all times possible. It is interesting to reflect on how Jesus knew he had a short time in this world and knew what had to be done! We are not often blessed with such direction as to what we are required to do but there is this: don't hesitate in showering love and affection to those around you, smiling at the stranger and holding those dear close!
Phil