I was inspired to write this post while recently celebrating my birthday. I happened to receive a kite for my birthday and I celebrated the day by flying that kite (pictured above). Something I had not done in a very long time. Something, that absent receiving this kite as a birthday gift, I may never have done again.

Think about it. For everything you do in your life, there will be a last time you do that thing. You can interpret that as a somber, negative thought.  Or, as I do, use it as a source of celebration and acknowledgment for what is going on in the present moment.

These things can be mundane, routine activities, or they can be things of a much more meaningful experience. I have two examples. In the first example, I was completely unaware it would be the last time. Never crossed my mind.  In the second example, I was clearly aware.  In fact, I acknowledged it when it happened with mixed emotions. It crosses my mind from time to time.

The first example is an excerpt from my book (link) written about my stop in Denver.

Throughout my life, I never considered that whatever I was doing at that moment in time, that it could be the last time I do what I was doing. But for everything you do in life, there will be a last time. As I noted above, I passed through Denver a dozen times on my way to a ski trip. Most of these trips were in my twenties or early thirties. The last trip was about twenty-five years ago, and I doubt I will ever go snow skiing again for a few reasons. It can be very cold when snow skiing.

Over the years, I have become less inclined to choose a cold destination for fun. Beach trips or mountain trips in late spring are more likely. Also, as I get older, I am less inclined to accept the risk of pulling or breaking something in my body. Call it risk aversion. Last, but not least, it has gotten extremely expensive. I can go skiing once or to a Caribbean island twice. Not a difficult choice.

I wish that when I did that last ski run on the last trip, I had taken the time to consider that it might be the last ski run I ever take.  The thought it would be my last ski run, ever, did not remotely cross my mind. If I had, maybe I would have been more thoughtful during the experience. The image of that last run would be engrained in my memory, and it would be paying memory dividends like an investment. So now, throughout this trip, I try to appreciate the cities I visit as if it is the last time.

The second example occurred when my children were much younger.  They are now young adults.

I will never forget the last time I took my kids to a park – the kind with slides and swings.  When we got to the park, they ran to the slides and swings and made a valiant effort to “play at the park”.

But watching from a picnic table across the park, it was instantly obvious, they had outgrown the park as all kids do at some point.  There was no complaining about going to the park, no asking to leave, just an honest effort by them to make the best of it.  Reflecting on that now, I believe they knew that time together was important to me, and they were honoring that.

I am a big believer that there is a time and place for everything, and it is important to know when that time and place is past. I immediately walked over to them and said, “Let’s go have lunch.” “OK” was their response and that was the last trip to the park.

Think about it. For everything you do in your life, there will be a last time you do that thing.

On the other hand, I did not think I would fly a kite again. But I did. And it was wonderful.

Be where your feet are.

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