SEIZE THEM!

Usually when you hear the term "SEIZE THEM" it is typically followed by a term like "scurvy naves" and is being said by someone like Black Beard.
I am often humbled by life and how everything can change so quickly.  We often make plans and as we are executing them something inevitably happens.  Often, it is just a minor pothole that we may not have expected, and it may only slow us down for a few seconds.  Other times that pothole can cause you to blow a tire that compromizes a brake line and next thing you know you are free falling off of a cliff on Mount Everest.  You  never see it coming, and as it is unfolding you are just shocked and stunned as to how you got here.  Then, as you realized that there is no good way to get out of the situation other than to ride it out.
As an adult, this is just how it goes.  There are times that I just want to be 7 years old again sipping some hot cocoa and making s'mores on a camp fire on a cool fall night.  But, then I remember that I would be living with my parents, and I would not be able to drive a car, or sit on my back deck and toke on a wonderful cigar whilst sipping on some of the finest whiskey that ever came from Tennessee.
I have had an interesting year, with many great triumphs, met many great new people, and got the chance to further my career.  I was able to enjoy my work, and get to see some great places this year, including my own house for a good portion of it.
It was not all roses and butterflies though.  This past month has been a tough one.  The most amazing person I know had to go under the knife yet again to try to regain control of her life.  It has been extremely difficult to see such a strong person once again be humbled to the fact that they are human, and that they cannot do some things on their own.  Having to help her these past 4 weeks reconfirms what I know.  I love her uncondtionally, and truly in sickness and in health.  Secondly, that I am NOT ever going to pursue a career in nursing or health care of any sort.
During this time, I had to deal with the sudden loss of a close family friend that I have known for over 3 decades.  She was my second mother and always looked after me as if I was one of her own.  Although she will be missed by almost everyone she ever met, we should not ever wish for her to be back in her earthly form with us, but know that she is smiling down on us from the heavens, and will be waiting for us at the gates of Heaven with open arms followed shortly by some of the best food you will ever taste. 
8 days later, I found out that one of my close friends who has been batteling cancer and kidney failure for the past 6 months had made is hast stand and that it was time to throw in the towel.  He had spent 20 years proudly serving the United States Marine Corps and retired as a Gunnery Sargent.  He fought hard at everything he had ever done, and he knew when a battle was not worth fighting.  He lived his life by this motto:  You had better stand for something or you will fall for anything.  He was a wonderful person to have as my friend for the last 11 years of my life.  He was a very outspoken man in many areas and we had many discussions over the years where we had to agree to disagree.  He did not hold a grudge, and had the ut most respect for anyone who deserved it.  He was not afraid to call you out if he thought you were wrong.  Gunny, you will be missed, but I am a better man for having known you. I am sure by now he has made his precence known in the afterlife, and that he has already gone and gotten his CCW and a new bike and will be cruising around on his Hog until we can all meet again.
I am so greatful to have a wife who is so understanding that she did not even think twice when it came to allowing me to attent the services to celebrate the life and times of these two great people, even though she herself needed me just as much.  She was not able to attend, but she made sure that everything was taken care of. 
The two solo road trips I took to attend the services, I had plenty of time to reflect on what these people meant to me, and think about how I am living my life.
(By this point, I am sure anyone reading this is scratching their head regarding the title and intro of this about pirates capturing someone)
These two individuals who are no longer with us spent a combined 11 decades on this earth.  At times it seems as if it is not nearly long enough for either of these wonderful people, but we must remember to celebrate them for who they are and what they stood for.
I think the biggest spiritual growth I have taken away from the events of this December is this:  SEIZE THEM!  The "Them" I am referring to is anything that you have ever wanted to do.  Skydiving, climbing a mountain, or getting a shiny new sports car.  Life is never long enough for anyone.  If there is something you are thinking you should do, then you should do it.  You may not have tomorrow to do it.  You may not be able to do it right now, but figure out what you need to do to get the ball rolling so tht you can make the most of your time, and do things that you enjoy. 
And now for an excerpt from the closing remarks from one of the guest speakers at DJ's service: (I do not remember it word for word)
Although her flame no longer burns, that does not mean that we are all now living in darkness.  We often extinguish lights as the dawn approaches.
I shall not say Rest In Peace to either of these souls as I know that neither of them is resting.
They are already busy making Heaven a better place for all who are there, and for all who will be there soon.
Ok, time to put this soap box away for the rest of the year. I promise